Taguchi analysis on the effect of process parameters on densification during spark plasma sintering of HfB2-20SiC

Abstract

Field assisted sintering (FAST) has emerged as a useful technique to densify ultra high temperature ceramics like HfB2-20SiC to a high density at relatively low temperatures and shorter times. The effect of various process variables on the densification during spark plasma sintering of HfB2-20SiC was studied using Taguchi analysis. The statistical analysis identified sintering temperature as the most significant parameter affecting the densification of HfB2-20SiC material. A density of 99% was achieved on sintering at 2373 K for 8 min at 30 kN pressure and heating rate of 100 K/min. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.