A near fully-dense ZrB₂–ZrC composite was produced by SPS of ZrB₂, Zr, and graphite powders. Advanced electron microscopy characterization was used to investigate the densification and sintering mechanisms, as well as the interfacial phenomena. Mechanical properties were studied through nano-indentation. The synthesis of ZrC is mainly controlled by a high fluidity liquid phase, which plays a crucial role in transferring the Zr atoms on the graphite flakes. Although such a liquid may be solidified as an amorphous interfacial phase during the cooling step, it effectively promotes composite toughening by a homogenous distribution of the in-situ synthesized phases. While a relatively weak hardness result (~11.3 GPa) was measured, a remarkably improved fracture toughness (~5.4 MPa.m^1/2) was achieved. The outcomes of nano-indentation confirmed the paradoxical influence of amorphous interfacial phase on the mechanical behavior. Related discussions about the toughening mechanisms, interfacial phenomena, and nano-indentation behavior were also included and graphically presented.

通过SPS的ZrB ₂，Zr和石墨粉生产了接近致密的ZrB ₂ -ZrC复合材料。先进的电子显微镜表征用于研究致密化和烧结机理以及界面现象。通过纳米压痕研究了机械性能。ZrC的合成主要受高流动性液相控制，这在将Zr原子转移到石墨薄片上起着至关重要的作用。尽管这种液体可以在冷却步骤中固化为无定形界面相，但是它通过原位合成相的均匀分布有效地促进了复合材料的增韧。虽然测得的硬度结果相对较弱（〜11.3 GPa），但断裂韧性明显提高（〜5.4 MPa.m）达到^1/2）。纳米压痕的结果证实了非晶界面相对机械行为的悖论影响。有关增韧机理，界面现象和纳米压痕行为的相关讨论也包括在内并以图形方式呈现。