Investigation of the Structural-Phase State of Lanthanum Hexaboride Based Ceramic Material

The structure and phase composition of samples of a ceramic material fabricated from lanthanum hexaboride by the sintering method were investigated. It was found that the formation of a high-quality consolidated structure with closed pores is observed at sintering temperature 1850°C. It is shown that the addition of nickel intensifies the sintering process and levels the influence of the sintering temperature on the grain size and volume fraction of the pores. Nickel in this case is found in the base material of the LaB6 grains as well as in the form of finely disperse intermetallics on grain boundaries.