Core-rim structure,bi-solubility and a hierarchical phase relationship in hot-pressed ZrB2-SiC-MC ceramics(M=Nb,Hf,Ta,W)

Core-rim structures were identified as a common feature in hot-pressed ZrB2-SiC-MC ceramics(M=Nb,Hf,Ta and W)by a combination of X-ray diffraction,scanning and transmission electron microscopies.Quantitative analyses associate them with the bi-solubility of M in ZrB2 phase,in which transition of solubility across the core/rim boundary is abrupted,signifying their creation via dissolution-reprecipitation process facilitated by transient liquid-phase.The cores were retained from starting powder after surface melting and the rims were grown from the liquid-phase to incorporate more solutes,leaving the residual liquid to turn into ZrC phase with higher solubility of M.We propose g-point scheme in the ZrB2-MB2 diagrams to combine the bi-solubility and the core-rim structures into an intra-phase relationship created by sintering,leading further to a hierarchical phase relationship.The temperature dependence of flexural strength in the ZrB2-SiC-MC ceramics varies with MC additions,which can be respectively strengthened by the strain energy created in the core-rim structures and metal segregation to grain boundaries.