Microstructure and thermal stability of ZrB2 powder infiltrated by molten Cu and CuCr1Zr alloy

Cu/ZrB2 and CuCr1Zr/ZrB2 composites were prepared by gas pressure infiltration technology. The ZrB2 powder was used as reinforcement. No interfacial reaction took place for Cu, or CuCr1Zr matrix as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The thermal stability of composites was very good, i.e. without any indication of possible disintegration. Composites exhibit high structural stability when subjected to 5 consecutive heating/cooling cycles to 800 degrees C. Maximums of relative elongations recorded for particular heating/cooling cycles slightly increased for Cu/ZrB2 composite and slightly decreased for CuCr1Zr/ZrB2 composite. However, the differences are negligible.