High-temperature oxidation behavior of boron carbide

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the cyclic oxidation behavior of boron carbide (B4C) in the air atmosphere at elevated temperatures. For this purpose, as-received B4C powders were characterized by XRD and SEM and then shaped by the cold pressing method for oxidation studies. Tests were performed in the air atmosphere at 800˚C and 1000˚C for 5, 10, 15 and 20 hours. Oxidation behavior of the samples was evaluated by weight changes. XRD, SEM and EDS analyses were also conducted on the oxidized samples. It was observed that cyclic oxidation behaviors of the samples depended on temperature and time. Based on the analyses results and the microstructure observations, volatilization of B2O3 had a significant effect on the oxidation of the samples as the temperature increased.