Structure and Mechanical Properties of Hot-Pressed Composite Ceramics W 2 B 5 –ZrB 2 –SiC–B 4 C

high-density ceramic material (97% of theoretical density) was obtained by hot pressing of ball-milled powders W 2 B 5 , ZrB 2 , SiC and B 4 C with holding for 15 minutes at a temperature of 1850°C and a pressure of 30 MPa in an argon atmosphere. The structure and composition of the material were investigated by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Vickers hardness (19.3 GPa), crack resistance coefficient (5,7 MPa∙m 1/2 ) and bending strength (695 MPa) were determined.