Abstract
Nb-Si-B alloys with Nb-rich compositions are fabricated by spark plasma sintering for high-temperature structural applications. Three compositions are selected: 75 at% Nb (Nb0.7), 82 at% Nb (Nb1.5), and 88 at% Nb (Nb3), the atomic ratio of Si to B being 2. The microstructures of the prepared alloys are composed of Nb and $T_2$ phases. The $T_2$ phase is an intermetallic compound with a stoichiometry of $Nb_5Si_{3-x}B_x$ ($0{\leq}x{\leq}2$). In some previous studies, Nb-Si-B alloys have been prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) using Nb and $T_2$ powders (SPS 1). In the present work, the same alloys are prepared by the SPS process (SPS 2) using Nb powders and hypereutectic alloy powders with composition 67at%Nb-22at%Si-11at%B (Nb67). The Nb67 alloy powders comprise $T_2$ and eutectic ($T_2+Nb$) phases. The microstructures and hardness of the samples prepared in the present work have been compared with those previously reported; the samples prepared in this study exhibit finer and more uniform microstructures and higher hardness.