Physical properties and microstructural characterization of mechanically alloyed and sintered W-2wt%B₄C-xwt%C (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1) composites

Mechanical alloying processes were carried out in a Spex mixer/mill to synthesize W-2wt% B₄C-xwt% C (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1) powders for durations of 1 and 9 h in argon atmosphere. Mechanically alloyed powders were consolidated into green compacts by uniaxial cold press under 500 MPa and solid phase sintered at 1770°C under hydrogen and argon atmospheres for 1 h and 5 h. Effects of milling duration as well as C addition on the microstructural and mechanical properties of the sintered W-2wt% B4C-xwt% C composite samples were investigated. The microstructural and mechanical characterizations of the sintered samples were carried out by scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Vickers hardness analyses. Density measurements and hardness measurements of the sintered samples were also carried out.