Preparation of ZrCN−TiCN solid solutions by spark plasma sintering

Abstract ZrCN–TiCN solid solutions were consolidated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) using ZrC and TiCN powders at 1573–2373 K for 300 s. ZrCN–TiCN solid solutions were densified to relative densities of 96–99% at temperatures above 2073 K. When sintered below 1973 K, the sintered bodies were composed of two phases, Zr-rich and Ti-rich solid-solution phases, whereas a ZrCN–TiCN solid solution in a single phase was obtained above 2073 K. With increasing the sintering temperature, the lattice parameters of the ZrCN–TiCN solid solution decreased and increased at Zr-rich and Ti-rich compositions, respectively. The ZrCN–TiCN solid solution exhibited a Vickers hardness ( H V ) of 23 GPa and a fracture toughness ( K IC ) of 3.5 MPa m 1/2 .