Interface microstructures in Ti-based composites using TiB 2/C-coated and uncoated SiC f after short-term thermal exposure

Abstract

The extent of interfacial reaction after short-term thermal exposure during vacuum plasma spraying ( vps) and vacuum hot-pressing ( vhp) of Ti-based metal-matrix composites ( mmcs) using TiB 2/C-coated and uncoated SiC fibres has been investigated by a combination of scanning and transmission electron microscopies. There is no interfacial reaction after short-term thermal exposure during vps manufacture of SiC f/Ti mmcs using either TiB 2/C-coated or uncoated SiC f. There is only limited interfacial reaction after short-term thermal exposure during vhp manufacture of SiC f/Ti-6Al-4V mmcs using TiB 2/C-coated SiC f. In the initial stage of the interfacial reaction, TiB needles are formed by preferential nucleation and growth at β particles and grain boundaries in the Ti-6Al-4V matrix.