Enhancement of Oxidation Resistance in Spark Plasma Sintered TZM Alloy through B4C and Si Additions
摘要
TZM, a molybdenum-based alloy with a high melting point of 2620 °C, shows great potential for high-temperature structural applications. However, its susceptibility to oxidation limits its performance in air at elevated temperatures. We addressed this limitation by fabricating ceramic-metal-ceramic sandwich-type composites through spark plasma sintering at 1420 °C, using varying pressures (40-60 MPa) and holding times (5, 10, and 15 min). The sandwich structure comprises a middle layer of 95% TZM and 5% B4C + Si, flanked by ceramic layers made of 90% B4C and 10% Si. Investigations into these composites revealed key insights into their oxidation behavior, densification, microstructure, and mechanical properties. Notably, oxidation tests showed the formation of protective SiO2 and Mo2B layers on all samples. Among the tested conditions, the composite produced with a 10-minute holding time at 40 MPa exhibited the lowest specific mass loss at 1000 °C, achieving a 98.14% reduction compared to monolithic TZM.