Dynamic consolidation of cubic boron nitride and its admixtures

Cubic boron nitride (C–BN)' powders admixed with graphite-structured boron nitride powder (g-DN), silicon carbide whisker (SCW), or silicon nitride whisker (SNW) were shock compacted to pressures up to 22 GPa. Unlike previous work with diamond and graphite [D. K. Potter and T. J. Ahrens, J. Appl. Phys. 63, 910 (1987) it was found that the addition of g-BN inhibited dynamic consolidation. Good consolidation was achieved with a 4–8 μm particle size C–BN powder admixed with 15 wt.% SNW or 20 wt.% SCW whereas a 37–44 μm particle size C–BN mixture was only poorly consolidated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis demonstrates that SCW and SNW in the mixtures were highly deformed and indicated melt textures. A skin heating model was used to describe the physics of consolidation. Model calculations are consistent with SEM analysis images that indicate plastic deformation of SCW and SNW. Micro-Vickers hardness values as high as 50 GPa were obtained for consolidated C–BN and SNW mixtures. This compares to 21 GPa for single-crystal Al2O3 and 120 GPa for diamond.