Microstructure and mechanical properties of in-situ synthesized (ZrC + Er2O3 + ZrCr2)/Zr composite prepared by arc-melting

Highlights: • In-situ (ZrC + Er₂O₃ + ZrCr₂)/Zr composite was fabricated by the arc-melting. • The composite contained the particle and network reinforcements. • The composite exhibited better compressive strength than the unreinforced matrix. • The strengthening mechanism of the composite was discussed in detail. - Abstract: (ZrC + Er₂O₃ + ZrCr₂)/Zr composite was in-situ fabricated by the arc-melting method based on the reaction among Zr, C, Cr, Er and Cr₂O₃ in the raw materials. The composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Microstructural observation showed that ZrC and Er₂O₃ particles and αZrCr₂ network were in-situ formed in the αZr matrix. ZrC particles grew in the near-equiaxed, dendritic and rod-like shapes, while Er₂O₃ particles grew in the near-equiaxed and dendritic shapes. The hardness and room-temperature compressive strength of the composite were markedly higher than those of pure Zr and single ZrC reinforced composite. The fracture behavior and strengthening mechanism of the composite were also studied and discussed in detail.