Residual stress estimation in laminated ZrB2-SiC ultra-high temperature ceramics with strong interfaces using X-ray diffraction and indentation techniques

Abstract Laminated ZrB 2 –SiC ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs) with different layer thickness ratios and strong interfaces were fabricated by hot-pressing. Residual stresses developed on the surfaces of laminated ZrB 2 -SiC ceramics were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and indentation techniques. Results showed that the characteristic XRD peaks of the ZrB 2 phase on the surface of the laminated ceramics presented a shift due to the residual surface stress existence. Both XRD and indentation tested results suggested that the surface residual stress increases with the increasing layer thickness ratio confirming the theoretical analysis and calculation reported by our previous work. The presence of a compressive residual stress in the external layer of the heterogeneous material is expected to improve the mechanical properties of laminated ZrB 2 -SiC ceramics.