Effects of particle size and oxygen contents on ZrB2 powder for densification

In this study, two pretreatment methods were used to improve the sinterability of zirconium diboride (). As a mechanical treatment, as-received powder was crushed using SPEX mill from an average size of to . As a chemical treatment, oxygen contents of powder were decreased from 4.20 wt% to 2.22 wt% using a dilute hydrofluoric solution. The relative density of sintered increased with decreasing particle size and oxygen contents. But it is considered that particle size is more effective than oxygen contents for densification. Through the two pretreatment processes, we produced sintered ceramic with a full density without sintering additives. The sinterability of was improved by using mechanical and chemical pretreatment methods.