Analysis of the Coupling Effects of TiB Whiskers and TiC Particles on the Fracture Toughness of (TiB + TiC)/TC4 Composites: Experiment and Modeling

Abstract

(TiB + TiC)/TC4 composites reinforced with different amounts of TiB whiskers and TiC particles are produced by common casting and hot forging technology. Then the fracture toughness of (TiB + TiC)/TC4 composites is analyzed by experiment and modeling. The experimental results indicate that not only reinforcement volume fraction but also the mole ratio between TiB whiskers and TiC particles can influence the fracture toughness of (TiB + TiC)/TC4 composites. Microstructure observations are carried out to examine the behavior of TiB whiskers and TiC particles in the fracture process. An analytical expression for predicting the fracture toughness of (TiB + TiC)/TC4 composites is built up. In particular, the coupling influences of TiB whiskers and TiC particles on the elastic modulus, yield strength, and fracture strain of TMCs are revealed in the modeling process. The results indicate that when TiB and TiC particles are coexisting in the TMCs, the fracture toughness of (TiB + TiC)/TC4 composites increases with the increase of the TiB whiskers aspect ratio, TiC particles volume fraction and size; however, with the increase of TiB whiskers volume fraction, the fracture toughness decreases. The breakage of TiB whiskers is the main reason for the fracture of TMCs. The acting mechanism of TiC particles on the fracture of TMCs transfers from blocking crack propagation and interfacial debonding to breakage with the increase of size, which can decrease the fracture toughness of (TiB + TiC)/TC4 composites. Considering the broken fraction of TiB whiskers, the fracture toughness of (TiB + TiC)/TC4 composites can be reasonably predicted.