Combustion Synthesis: Principles and Applications

Abstract

Combustion synthesis in the mode of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) takes advantage of the self-sustaining merit from highly exothermic reactions and has the potential of energy and time savings. The SHS technique has been recognized as an attractive alternative to conventional methods of preparing advanced materials, including carbides, borides, nitrides, silicides, intermetallics, carbonitrides, composites, complex oxides, etc. The SHS processes have not only been conducted for solid–solid reaction systems, but also for solid–gas reaction systems. In addition, integration of combustion synthesis with thermite reactions represents an in situ processing method of producing composite materials with phases uniformly distributed in the materials.