Properties and Microstructure of ZrB_2/C Composites

ZrB2/C composites were prepared by a hot-pressing method. The influence of dopants on the flexural strength, thermal conductivity, electrical resistivity and microstructure of these composites was investigated. Results show that the flexural strength and thermal conductivity increase with increasing ZrB2 content up to a maximum of 131MPa and 161W/m-K at 10% addition, respectively. But the electrical resistivity reduces rapidly with increasing the concentration of ZrB2. Correlations between the content of dopant and properties and microstructure of ZrB2/C composites were also discussed.