Preparation of boron carbide–aluminum composites by non-aqueous gelcasting

Abstract Gelcasting is an attractive forming process to fabricate ceramic parts with near-net-shape. In the present work, non-aqueous gelcasting of boron carbide (B 4 C)–aluminum (Al) composites was studied. A stable B 4 C–Al slurry with solids loading up to 55 vol.% for gelcasting was prepared. The slurry was solidified in situ to green body with the mean value of relative density of 64% and flexural strength of 21 MPa. The SEM images showed that powders in green body compact closely by the connection of polymer networks. B 4 C–Al samples were also obtained by the process of gelcasting and sintering at 1300 °C for 1 h in 0.1 MPa Ar atmosphere. The average bulk density of sintered body was 2.05 g cm −3 .