Based on Refractory Compounds Consolidated by Spark Plasma Sintering and Controlled-Rate Sintering (Review)

Abstract

Controlled-rate sintering and spark plasma sintering are considered the most promising methods to produce dense nanoctructured ceramics. Refractory compounds are used to demonstrate the use of methods involving controlled densification rate and nonlinear heating and loading to obtain dense nanocomposites with 30–70 nm grains. A comparative analysis of the mechanical and tribological properties of ceramics with grains from 50 to 500 nm in size is carried out. The effect of increase in the mechanical (5–15%) and tribological (to 50%) properties of the nanocomposites consolidated by controlled-rate sintering and modified nonlinear spark plasma sintering is studied. The nanocomposites based on refractory nitrides and borides are regarded as promising materials for creating a new generation of cutting tools, as well as wear-resistant ceramics for wide application.