Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of a zirconium diboride-alumina composite: a dynamic X-ray diffraction study

A time-resolved X-ray diffraction study during the formation of a zirconium diboride (ZrB2)–alumina (Al2O3) composite from zirconium dioxide, Al and boron oxide by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) has been carried out. During the formation of the composite, solid solutions of Al in ZrB2 form, with a slight change in the lattice parameters of ZrB2, during the SHS reaction and finally form a ZrB2–Al2O3 composite powder. Dendritic growth of ZrB2 was also observed during the synthesis.