Sintering aids in the consolidation of boron carbide (B4C) by the Plasma Pressure Compaction (P2C) method

Boron carbide (B4C) powder has been densified by a novel method of powder consolidation known as Plasma Pressure Compaction ((PC)-C-2). The (PC)-C-2 technique allows for rapid consolidation of powder by Joule heating of the powder bed. Powder is placed in graphite dies, and uniaxial pressure and low-voltage, high-amperage (10V, 5000 amps maximum) direct current are applied to achieve densification. Pure B4C powder was consolidated at lower temperature and hold time to densities equal to those achieved by conventional hot pressing. With the addition of a small amount of alumina (Al2O3) as a sintering aid, densities as high as 97% theoretical were attained.