The production and characterization of zirconia-zirconium diboride (ZrO2-ZrB2) composites for structural applications

Recently, the studies related with domestic car manufacturing at vision 2023 of our country has gained acceleration. Unfortunately, the most of ceramic parts used in this industry imported from abroad. For the first time in the literature, this project aims to develop and produce imported ceramic based locater nut pins that join between ring nuts and metal plate in the automotive parts from ZrO2-ZrB2 system via ceramic-composite production approach. The project was initially launched with the physical, chemical, mechanical and microstructural characterization of imported ceramic based locater nut pins from well-known pins manufactures of the Europa. In conjunction with these characterization results, targeted domestic locater nut pins were produced by using commercially available 3 mole yttria stabilized tetragonal polycrystalline zirconia (Y-TZP) and ZrB2 powders. The effect of processing additives to ZrO2-ZrB2 powder mixture such as binders, plasticizers and lubricants was investigated. The optimum pressure for cold isostatic press (CIP) was determined for the ZrO2-ZrB2 powder mixtures. The binding and presintering temperature of samples were obtained to gain strength during the CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining. Sintering temperature was obtained to reach full density or theoretically density. The physical, chemical, mechanical and microstructural characterization of sintered black-colored locater nut pins were also investigated. After evaluating results, the ZrO2-ZrB2 ceramic-composite locater nut pins were successfully produced. These nut pins were carried out at the welding lines of an Automotive Industry Corporation and were effectively welded over 35000 rings nuts on the metal plate at continuous welding lines of company.