Thermodynamic Analysis of Pressureless Sintering of B4C-Si Nano Composite by Factsage Software

In this article، pressureless sintering of B4C-Si nano composite has been investigated. At first before beginning any laboratory operation and by using Factsage and HSC softwares، the free energy changes of reactions and the ability to reaction was examined. Then composition containing 2. 5-10 wt% Si placed under uniaxial pressing and pressureless sintered at 2200°C. To evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of specimens، determination of density، micro-hardness، young modulus and fracture toughness were carried out. Also to study the microstructure of samples، microscopic images were taken by SEM. The results of the experiments showed that maximum properties were obtained for the sample containing 7. 5 wt% Si which was 92% relative density، 32. 2 GPa hardness، 308. 45 GPa elastic modulus and 4. 09 MPa. m1/2 fracture toughness.