Microstructure and deformation of TiB + Ti2C reinforced titanium matrix composites

Abstract

A novel technique known as combustion assisted synthesis was utilised for the fabrication of titanium carbide + titanium boride reinforced titanium matrix composites. This technique resulted in a homogeneous distribution of rod like (TiB) and equiaxed (Ti2C) reinforcements in a fine grained (1–2 μm) titanium matrix, with a clean matrix/particle interface. The deformation behaviour of the composites and the control sample of titanium were studied in the temperature range 298–873 K and strain rate range 2 × 10−5−2 × 10−2s−1. Tests indicated that the composites were more deformable in compression and the values of yield strength of the composites increased with volume fraction of reinforcements, being approximately × 3–5 that of the control titanium. Fractographic analysis indicated that the composites failed in tension due to particle cracking, whereas the failure mode of the control titanium was dimpled fracture.MST/3255