B₄C-TiB₂ Composites via reactive hot pressing

B₄C/TiB₂ ceramic composites having 5-10-15 vol % TiB₂ have been prepared via reactive hot pressing of B₄C, TiO₂ and C powder mixture. Reactive hot pressing were carried out at 2273 K and 2373 K applying 50 MPa pressure under argon atmosphere for 1 hour. The effect of TiB₂ amount of composite and sintering temperature on sintering behavior and some mechanical properties of reactive hot pressed composites were investigated. The highest theoretical density that could be achieved, being 99.6 %, was with the composite having 5 % TiB₂ following reactive hot pressing at 2000̈C applying 50 MPa pressure under argon atmosphere for 1 hour. The highest strength level achieved with the same composite (B₄C-5 vol.% TiB₂) was 450 MPa. The fracture toughness of the composite was found to be 4.2 MPa. m^1/2. Increasing TiB₂ content in composites led to increasing porosity in B ₄C-TiB₂ samples and decreasing mechanical properties.