Accession Number:

ADA576131

Title:

Characterization of Pressureless Sintered Boron Carbide

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. Jun-Aug 2012

Corporate Author:

ARMY RESEARCH LAB ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND MD WEAPONS AND MATERIALS RESEARCH DIRECTORATE

Personal Author(s):

• Pomerantz, Joshua
• Sano, Tomoko

Report Date:

2013-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

18.0

Abstract:

This report outlines the characterization study of pressureless sintered boron carbide with graphite additive used as a sintering and densification aid on hexagonally shaped and plate-shaped samples of boron carbide. We conducted this investigation to determine whether pressureless sintered boron carbide could be used as a substitute for the baseline hot-pressed boron carbide. The surfaces were characterized with a scanning electron microscope. The samples were tested for strength, hardness, density, and composition using four-point flexure testing, Knoop microindentation, Archimede s method, and x-ray spectroscopy, respectively. These values were then compared with literature values for pressureless sintered boron carbide and hot-pressed boron carbide. We concluded that the substitution was not feasible because of the high-porosity and low-strength values.

Descriptors:

• *BORON CARBIDES
• BASE LINES
• CERAMIC MATERIALS
• ELECTRON MICROSCOPES
• GRAPHITE
• HARDNESS
• HOT PRESSING
• LOW STRENGTH
• SINTERING
• X RAY SPECTROSCOPY

Subject Categories:

• Inorganic Chemistry

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE