Abstract Scope |
Ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs) are candidate materials for various extreme environments. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of material manufacturing is paramount to enlarge processing capabilities, especially to produce different complex shapes. Colloidal processing, a shaping technique, is a promising way to fabricate near-net-shaping ceramics with high particle packing. This research focuses on the influence of suspension solid concentration to prepare dense zirconium diboride (ZrB2), using slip casting. ZrB2 suspensions with solid concentrations varied from 20 to 50 vol% were prepared and used to create different sample geometries (cylinders, rectangular cuboids, bars, and leading edges). Suspension rheology, green and sintered density, particle packing morphology, green and sintered microstructure, and after-sintering shrinkage are systematically studied for each of the geometries and solid concentration. The findings not only provide a deeper understanding of UHTC colloidal processing but also clarify the interrelationship between slip casting and different geometry UHTCs. |