LAUSR

Abstract The seven-layer B4C/TiB2-based graded composites was prepared with B4C and Ti–Al intermetallics through stepped laminating processing and transient liquid phase spark plasma sintering. The sintering strategy of the graded composites was proposed based on the sintering products of monolayer materials with different contents of Ti–Al intermetallics from 5 wt% to 60 wt%. The top three layers and bottom three layers were sintered respectively at 1650 °C and 1500 °C, and then the middle layer was used as the binder to joint the as-preserved two sections at 1550 °C. The apparent density of the as-prepared B4C/TiB2-based multilayer graded composites was 2.94 g/cm3, which was lower than that of most advanced ceramics. With the increase in the addition of Ti–Al intermetallics, the hardness of B4C/TiB2-based multilayer graded composites decreased from 31 GPa (B4C-riched) to 25 GPa (TiB2-riched), whereas the fracture toughness increased from 3.8 MPa·m0.5–6.02 MPa·m0.5. The compressive strength was up to 1100 MPa, displaying the jagged stress-strain curve. Crack propagation resistance mechanisms such as deflection and bridging enhanced the fracture toughness. The B4C/TiB2-based multilayer graded composites fabricated at low temperature possess high front hardness, high rear toughness, high overall strength and low density, and has promising applications in impact-resistant fields such as lightweight ceramic armor.