Novel TiC-based composites with enhanced mechanical properties

Abstract

Novel TiC-based composites were synthesized by reactive hot-pressing at 1800 °C for 1 h with ZrB2 addition as a sintering aid for the first time. The effects of ZrB2 contents on the phase composition, microstructure evolution, and mechanical properties were reported. Based on the reaction and solid solution coupling effects between ZrB2 and TiC, the product ZrC may be partially or completely dissolved into the TiC matrix, and then phase separation within the miscibility gap is observed to form lamellar nanostructured ZrC-rich (Zr, Ti)C. The TiC-10 mol.% ZrB2 (starting batch composition) exhibits good comprehensive mechanical properties of hardness 27.7 ± 1.3 GPa, flexural strength 659 ± 48 MPa, and fracture toughness of 6.5 ± 0.6 MPa m1/2, respectively, which reach or exceed most TiC-based composites using ceramics as sintering aids in the previous reports.