Taguchi analyses on the densification of ZrB۲-based composites:Effects of hot pressing conditions and SiC content/particle size

The influences of hot pressing parameters, SiC content and SiC particle size on the densificationof ZrB۲-based ceramics and composites have been studied. A design of experiment approach,Taguchi methodology: L۹ orthogonal arrays, was used to increase the relative density of thesamples. The signal to noise ratios and analyses of variance were used to optimize the processingparameters. The hot pressing temperature was recognized as the most consequential factor affectingthe relative density of monolithic ZrB۲. ANOVA verified the applied external pressure as the mostcritical factor on the relative density of ZrB۲-based composites with different SiC content, but boththe applied pressure and temperature were identified as the consequential factors in ZrB۲-basedcomposites with different SiC particle size. The confirmation tests, which were carried out underthe optimal conditions, revealed that the experimental results were in harmony with the expectedvalues by the Taguchi predictions.

Keywords:

Zirconium diboride , Silicon carbide , Hot pressing , Densification , Taguchi method.