Reactions During Sintering of a Zirconium Carbide‐Niobium Cermet

A zirconium carbide-niobium cermet (12.5%, by weight of niobium) sintered under pressure was investigated. The effect of the variables, sintering temperature and time at temperature, on the crystallographic structures was examined by back-reflection X-ray diffraction. Lattice-parameter determinations indicated that the following reaction occurred: Metallographic examination showed that at 3900°F. the zirconium metal formed in the grain corners of the carbide structure. Coalescence of this phase was observed; the size and distribution of the phase influenced the room-temperature strength of this material and were time and temperature dependent.