Abstract
$ZrB _2$ was prepared from a mixture of $ZrO_2$, $B_2$$O_3$and Mg by SHS method. The combustion products were successfully obtained from a mixture of $Zro_2$:$B_2$$O_3$:Mg=1:2.0:8.5(molar ratio). MgO, by-product, was removed to 92.7% by leaching with 1M HCl solution at 9$0^{\circ}C$, for 10 hours. After leaching, the mean particle size of the resultant $ZrB_2$powders was 23.6$\mu\textrm{m}$. $ZrB_2$-ZrC composite was suitably obtained from a mixture of C/Zr=1.2 molar ratio by arc-melting method. The density of arc-melted specimen increased by adding excess zirconium content(x). The bulk density was 6.17g/㎤ for x=0, and 6.37g/㎤ x=4. Vickers hardness of arc-melted specimen was /$1290kg\textrm{mm}^2$ for x=0, and fracture toughness increased to 4.2MPa.m\ulcornerforx=4 compared to 3.4MPa.m\ulcornerfor x=0.