Mechanical Properties of Polycrystalline TiC

Abstract

The mechanical properties of fine-grained polycrystalline TiC were studied using both four-point bending and compression tests. The ductile-brittle transition (D-B) temperature in compression was determined to be =800°C and was found to depend on grain size. Yield-point behavior was observed for the first time in fine-grained TiC deformed in compression and was found to depend on grain size and test temperature. The yield stress as a function of grain size can be described by a Hall-Petch type of relation, i.e. yield stress α (grain size)-1/2. The dislocations resulting from deformation in compression at lower temperatures were predominately screw in character, with edge dipoles and dislocation loops being present. As the temperature of deformation was increased, the dipoles and loops were gradually annihilated by climb and the dislocations were observed in the form of hexagonal networks with a much-reduced dislocation density. A plot of log yield stress vs 1/T showed a change in slope, which suggests that two rate-controlling mechanisms are in operation during deformation at different test temperatures. Thermal activation analysis at T = 1050° to 1500°C suggested that the rate controlling mechanism during deformation in this temperature range is associated with cross slip.