Synthesizability improvement of B۴C ceramics by optimizing the process temperature and atmosphere

In this research, the effects of synthesis temperature, holding time, and furnace atmosphere on the synthesizability of B۴C ceramics using glucose and boric acid as the starting materials were scrutinized. Three temperatures of ۱۳۰۰, ۱۴۰۰, and ۱۵۰۰ °C were selected as synthesis temperatures. The synthesis process was carried out in a tubular furnace for ۴ h in Ar atmosphere. To scrutinize the interactive effect of synthesis temperature and holding time, three samples were synthesized at ۱۵۰۰, ۱۴۰۰, and ۱۳۰۰ °C for ۴, ۸, and ۱۲ h, respectively. Moreover, two types of controlled atmospheres, traditional Ar and an innovative CO/CO۲ setup, were considered to optimize the synthesis process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were employed to determine the optimum synthesis temperature and atmosphere based on the detection of B۴C peaks as the desired product and undesirable hydrocarbon and carbon byproducts. The results showed that B۴C synthesized at ۱۵۰۰ °C for ۴ h in Ar atmosphere contained the least byproduct impurities, so this temperature was chosen as the optimal choice. However, the sample fabricated at ۱۴۰۰ °C for ۸ h is a good choice in cases where lower manufacturing temperatures are desired. The efficiency of the innovative setup was similar to the traditional one; therefore, considering the economic aspects, the CO/CO۲ atmosphere was chosen as an acceptable option for B۴C synthesis.In this research, the effects of synthesis temperature, holding time, and furnace atmosphere on the synthesizability of B۴C ceramics using glucose and boric acid as the starting materials were scrutinized. Three temperatures of ۱۳۰۰, ۱۴۰۰, and ۱۵۰۰ °C were selected as synthesis temperatures. The synthesis process was carried out in a tubular furnace for ۴ h in Ar atmosphere. To scrutinize the interactive effect of synthesis temperature and holding time, three samples were synthesized at ۱۵۰۰, ۱۴۰۰, and ۱۳۰۰ °C for ۴, ۸, and ۱۲ h, respectively. Moreover, two types of controlled atmospheres, traditional Ar and an innovative CO/CO۲ setup, were considered to optimize the synthesis process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were employed to determine the optimum synthesis temperature and atmosphere based on the detection of B۴C peaks as the desired product and undesirable hydrocarbon and carbon byproducts. The results showed that B۴C synthesized at ۱۵۰۰ °C for ۴ h in Ar atmosphere contained the least byproduct impurities, so this temperature was chosen as the optimal choice. However, the sample fabricated at ۱۴۰۰ °C for ۸ h is a good choice in cases where lower manufacturing temperatures are desired. The efficiency of the innovative setup was similar to the traditional one; therefore, considering the economic aspects, the CO/CO۲ atmosphere was chosen as an acceptable option for B۴C synthesis.

Keywords:

Boron carbide , Synthesis , Optimization , Atmosphere , XRD analysis