Search NASA⌕ Search
Home/Archive/DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI · 3001040

Microstructure, mechanical, and thermal properties of compositionally complex (Hf,Zr,Nb,Ti)B 2 ‒LaB 6 ceramics

Chen, Xin [Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States)]·Trinh, Lanh [Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States)]·Hua, Zilong [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)] (ORCID:0000000229423344)·Wang, Fei [Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States)]·Zhang, Xiang [Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States)]·Yoo, Yongchul [Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States)]·Bawane, Kaustubh [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)]·Lu, Yongfeng [Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States)]·Cui, Bai [Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States)] (ORCID:0000000205856698)
View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Novel compositionally complex borides, (Hf,Zr,Nb,Ti)B 2 and (Hf,Zr,Nb,Ti)B 2 ‒LaB 6 , were fabricated using spark plasma sintering process. (Hf,Zr,Nb,Ti)B 2 ‒LaB 6 exhibits a dual-phase microstructure, in which (Hf,Zr,Nb,Ti)B 2 is a primary phase with the hexagonal structure and LaB 6 is a secondary phase with a cubic structure. The mechanical properties of both (Hf,Zr,Nb,Ti)B 2 and (Hf,Zr,Nb,Ti)B 2 ‒LaB 6 are comparable, with a combination of high hardness and moderate fracture toughness. Thermal diffusivity and conductivity of (Hf,Zr,Nb,Ti)B 2 are much lower than the individual transition metal borides but are significantly increased by the addition of LaB 6 . Herein, it is implied that the thermal properties of boride ceramics can be controlled through the appropriate design of principal metal element compositions.

Explore related subjects

boridescompositionally complex ceramicshardnessspark plasma sinteringthermal conductivity

Keep this discovery

BibTeXRIS

Chen, Xin [Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States)], Trinh, Lanh [Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States)], Hua, Zilong [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)] (ORCID:0000000229423344), Wang, Fei [Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States)], Zhang, Xiang [Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States)], Yoo, Yongchul [Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States)], Bawane, Kaustubh [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)], Lu, Yongfeng [Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States)], Cui, Bai [Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States)] (ORCID:0000000205856698). 2025-09-17. Microstructure, mechanical, and thermal properties of compositionally complex (Hf,Zr,Nb,Ti)B 2 ‒LaB 6 ceramics. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijac.70068

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related discoveries

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Next-Generation Hard X-ray Missions: SuperHERO and HEROIX

High-energy X-ray observations have transformed our understanding of astrophysical systems where non-thermal processes dominate, from shock-accelerated particles in supernova remnants to relativistic jets and hot coronae in active galactic nuclei. NuSTAR’s pioneering focusing images of the hard X-ray sky have demonstrated the immense scientific potential of this band, while also highlighting how limited angular resolution constrains our ability to fully characterize complex physical processes in faint extended sources and resolving faint sources in crowded sky regions. In this presentation, I will discuss a pathway to overcome these challenges through NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s replicated NiCo full-shell X-ray mirror technology. Specifically, I will discuss the SuperHERO hard X-ray telescope to achieve better than 10-arcsecond half-power diameter (HPD) angular resolution on a balloon flight observing the Crab Nebula, and the High EneRgy Observatory for Imaging X-rays (HEROIX) Medium-Class Mission concept to achieve an integrated effective area of 570 cm2 at 30 keV with 5 arcsec HPD angular resolution.

AGN↗
NASA NTRS2025

A Review of Direct Ink Writing of Polymer Derived Ceramics

With the growing demand for materials capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and pressures, ceramic components with exceptional corrosion resistance and reliable mechanical properties have experienced a significant surge in demand. However, traditional ceramic forming methods involve high-temperatures and energy-intensive processes that often struggle to produce complex parts or composites efficiently. Polymer-Derived Ceramics (PDCs) offer a transformative solution by using polymeric precursors that can be converted into a wide variety of silicon-based and non-silicon-based ceramics through heat treatment. The polymeric nature of PDC precursors enables the fabrication of geometrically intricate components using conventional polymer-forming techniques at significantly lower processing temperatures. Furthermore, PDCs are well-suited for additive manufacturing (AM), allowing the production of complex structural and functional components through cost-effective, low-temperature processes. By leveraging the diverse properties of PDC materials – each with unique advantages and limitations – manufacturers can optimise performance for specific applications. This review provides an overview of the types of PDCs developed to date and their broad range of applications. Specifically, it delves into the Direct Ink Writing (DIW) process, exploring its rheological requirements and the critical role of fillers in tailoring the rheological properties of polymeric precursors to meet the specific demands of DIW.

Victoria Bishop↗
DOE OSTI2026

Evaluating Fracture Behavior of Bioinspired Alumina-YSZ Composites through Static and Dynamic Mechanical Testing

Ceramic materials are known for their high hardness and strength but are limited by low toughness and sudden failure. Inspired by the microstructure of dental enamel, which features undulating rods that promote crack deflection and energy absorption, architected specimens were designed and manufactured. A bespoke ball-on-ring (BoR) testing apparatus measured the static biaxial rupture strength of these bioinspired materials. Additionally, impact testing with spherical steel projectiles assessed their behavior under dynamic conditions. Monolithic alumina specimens were compared to architected alumina reinforced with yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) rods produced via direct ink write 3D printing. BoR tests revealed that monolithic alumina had a Weibull modulus of 10.53 and a characteristic strength of 372.3 MPa, while the composite specimens showed a Weibull modulus of 5.46 and a characteristic strength of 213.3 MPa. Although the composite failed at lower stresses and projectile velocities, it exhibited notable crack deflection and fracture resistance, with cracks being effectively interrupted by the rod inclusions. The composite specimens also resulted in fewer and larger fragments upon impact. Finite element simulations confirmed the effectiveness of the rod structures in enhancing fracture resistance.

Bioinspired materials↗