Abstract
High-density zirconium nitride ZrN/ZrSi2 composite reinforced with different fractions of insitu formed ZrC were synthesized by dynamic-compaction combustion synthesis from Zr-Si3N4-C powder blends. The effect of ZrC fractions, compression loads, and delay time on the composite properties was investigated. ZrC additives were found to decrease the sample porosity and improve the sample hardness. Increasing the compression load greatly enhanced the sample hardness and reduced the sample porosity. The samples were characterized using XRD, SEM, hardness and porosity. The attained composite having 20 wt% ZrC was found to furnish a highly homogeneous microstructure with less than 1.0 vol open porosity and a maximum hardness value of 1308 HV achieved at 234 MPa compression load.