Spark plasma sintering of graphene reinforced zirconium diboride ultra-high temperature ceramic composites

Spark plasma sintering (SPS) of monolithic ZrB2 ultra-high temperature ceramic and 2–6 vol% graphene nanoplates (GNPs) reinforced ZrB2 matrix composites is reported. The SPS at 1900 °C with a uni-axial pressure of 70 MPa and soaking time of 15 min resulted in near-full densification in ZrB2–GNP composites. Systematic investigations on the effect of GNP reinforcement on densification behavior, microstructure, and mechanical properties...