Fabrication of the Zirconium Diboride-Reinforced Composites by a Combination of Planetary Ball Milling, Turbula Mixing and Spark Plasma Sintering

The aim of this study was to carry out the consolidation of zirconium diboride-reinforced composites using the SPS technique. The effect of the adopted method of powder mixture preparation (mixing in Turbula or milling in a planetary mill) and of the reinforcing phase content and sintering temperature on the microstructure, physical properties, strength and tribological properties of sintered composites was investigated. Experimental data showed that the maximum relative density of 94–98% was obtained for the composites sintered at 1100 °C. Milling in a planetary mill was found to contribute to the homogeneous dispersion and reduced clustering of ZrB(2) particles in the steel matrix, improving in this way the properties of sintered steel + ZrB(2) composites. Morphological and microstructural changes caused by the milling process in a planetary mill increase the value of Young’s modulus and improve the hardness, strength and wear resistance of steel + ZrB(2) composites. Higher content of ZrB(2) in the steel matrix is also responsible for the improvement in Young’s modulus, hardness and abrasive wear resistance.