A dense and tough (B4C–TiB2)–B4C ‘composite within a composite’ produced by spark plasma sintering

A (B4C–TiB2)–B4C “composite within a composite” was spark plasma sintered using a mixture of B4C and B4C–TiB2 eutectic powders. The effect of the eutectic powders’ morphology on the mechanical characteristics of composites is presented. Composites of eutectic powder with naked TiB2 fibers consolidated in nitrogen and argon atmospheres resulted in dense ceramics with improved mechanical properties. The room temperature and high temperature (1600 °C) bending strength and fracture toughness of the (B4C–TiB2)–B4C composite consolidated in a nitrogen atmosphere reached 387.2 MPa, 399.8 MPa and 7.76 MPa m1/2, respectively.