The improvement of non-oxide ceramic plasticity while maintaining the high-temperature strength is a great challenge through the classical strategy, which generally includes decreasing grain size to several nanometers or adding ductile binder phase. Here, we report that the plasticity of fully dense boron carbide (B₄C) is greatly enhanced due to the boundary non-stoichiometry induced by high-pressure sintering technology. The effect decreases the plastic deformation temperature of B₄C by 200 °C compared to that of conventionally-sintered specimens. Promoted grain boundary diffusion is found to enhance grain boundary sliding, which dominate the lower-temperature plasticity. In addition, the as-produced specimen maintains extraordinary strength before the occurrence of plasticity. The study provides an efficient strategy by boundary chemical change to facilitate the plasticity of ceramic materials.

通过经典策略，在保持高温强度的同时提高非氧化物陶瓷的塑性是一个巨大的挑战，通常包括将晶粒尺寸减小到几个纳米或添加延性粘结相。在这里，我们报告说，由于高压烧结技术引起的边界非化学计量，全致密碳化硼（B _{4 C）的塑性大大增强。}与传统烧结样品相比，该效应使 B ₄ C的塑性变形温度降低了200 °C。研究发现，促进晶界扩散可以增强晶界滑动，而晶界滑动决定了低温塑性。此外，所生产的样品在出现塑性之前保持了非凡的强度。该研究提供了一种通过边界化学变化来促进陶瓷材料塑性的有效策略。