Microstructures and mechanical property of ZrC_x joints diffusion bonded using Ti/Ta/Ti as the interlayer

In present study, homogeneous joint of ZrC_x ceramic was achieved by diffusion bonding using Ti/Ta/Ti as the interlayer. The effect of bonding temperature and time on the microstructure and mechanical property of the joints was uncovered. The homogeneous joints can be formed at 1400 °C for 2 h and at 1500 °C for 1 h, respectively. The Ti/Ta/Ti interlayer prefers to form Ti-Ta solid solutions rather than to form carbides with ZrC_x ceramic during the bonding process, which is more readily to be dissolved with the base ceramic, thus contributing to the formation of the homogeneous joints. The mechanical property of the homogeneous joints can be comparable to that of the base ceramics due to the similar composition of the joint with the base ceramics. The unique microstructure feature and mechanical property of the homogeneous joints illustrate the great potential of our method for joining transition metal carbides.