Microstructure characterization of high-pressure induced texture in fully densified zirconium diboride ceramics

Fully dense oriented monolithic zirconium diboride (ZrB2) ceramics with fiber texture were fabricated using high-pressure spark plasma sintering. The fiber texture is proposed to be triggered by grain rotation, as (0001) <112 over bar 0$11\bar{2}0$> basal ⟨a⟩$\langle a\rangle $ slip of ZrB2 was activated during sintering. The high temperature, uniaxial high pressure, and uniform starting particles play a vital role in the texture formation of ZrB2 ceramics. The result provides visible evidence for the occurrence of plastic deformation during high-pressure-assisted sintering.