TiC Content Research Articles

Investigation of Microstructural, Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Al8011-TiC Metal Matrix Nano-Composites

Aluminium alloys reinforced by nanoparticles are widely utilized in space vehicles, automotive components and industrial applications due to the unique characteristic of high stiffness to weight ratio. In this research, aluminium alloy 8011-TiC (Titanium Carbide) composites with a various weight percentage of reinforcement such as 5%, 7% and 9% wt.% were produced through stir casting technique. The contribution and uniform dispersion of TiC nano particles in Al 8011 was investigated through microstructural examination, mechanical and tribological behaviour. To sew up the uniform distribution of reinforcement particles over composite metal matrix alloy was investigated using Scanning and Optical Electron Microscope (OEM and SEM) depiction. The pattern of TiC content in the Al8011 alloy was observed through X-ray diffraction technique. Also, specimens are exposed to wear test as per ASTM G99 standard and the weight loss method is adopted. The result exhibits that tensile, yield strength properties and microhardness of nano-composites particles to about increases by 35%, 170% and 150% respectively. The mechanical properties and wear resistance of 7% TiC yields better results compared with Al 8011 alloy and other compositions of augmentations.

Preparation of Ti3SiC2 MAX phase from Ti, TiC, and SiC by SPS

Ti3SiC2 MAX phase was prepared from Ti, TiC, and SiC using spark plasma sintering. Three sintering temperatures, namely 1450, 1550, and 1600 °C were employed. The effect of the atmosphere, dwell time, and SiC grain size were studied. The prepared samples were subjected to XRD, Vickers hardness, and SEM analyses. Phase composition of the samples revealed that a maximum MAX phase content of ∼90 wt% is achieved at the sintering temperature of 1550 °C. TiC (∼9 wt%) and small amount of SiC were identified as secondary phases. Values of the Vickers hardness exhibited a steady decrease with an increasing sintering temperature from 704 HV at 1450 °C to 544 HV at 1600 °C due to the reduction of the TiC content in the sample. The porosity of the samples with the highest Ti3SiC2 content reached 5%. The coefficient of thermal expansion fell into the interval from 9.8 to 11 × 10−6 K−1.

Effects of Nano TiC on the Microhardness and Friction Properties of Laser Powder Bed Fusing Printed M2 High Speed Steel

In this work, TiC/M2 high speed steel metal matrix composites (MMCs) were prepared using the ball milling method and laser powder bed fusing process. By controlling the TiC content in TiC/M2HSS, the grain size, phase composition, and frictional wear properties of the samples were enhanced. The results showed that when TiC/M2HSS was supplemented with 1% TiC, the surface microhardness of the samples increased to a maximum value and the wear volume decreased by approximately 39%, compared to pure M2HSS. The hardness and friction wear properties of the TiC/M2HSS composites showed a decreasing trend as the TiC content increased, owing to an increase in internal defects in the samples, as a result of excess TiC addition. The physical phases of the TiC/M2HSS MMC samples prepared by LPBF were dominated by the BCC phase, with some residual FCC phases and carbide phases. This work explored the possibility of enhancing the frictional wear performance of TiC/M2HSS samples by controlling the TiC content.

Excellent positive temperature coefficient behavior and electrical reproducibility of HDPE/(TiC-CB) composites

The high-density polyethylene/(titanium carbide--carbon black) (HDPE/(TiC-CB) composites were prepared by meltingblendprocess. Microstructure, room temperature resistivity, positive temperature coefficient (PTC) behavior and electrical reproducibility of composites were investigated. Results show that adding 3.0 vol% CB was in favor of reducing the room temperature resistivity of HDPE/(TiC-CB) composites, and leading to obtain high PTC intensity (the ratio of maximum resistivity to room temperature resistivity is defined as the PTC intensity). When the content of conductive fillers TiC was 32.0 vol% and CB was 3.0 vol%, the room temperature resistivity of composites was 0.8 Ω.m and PTC intensity reached 7.0, which is similar to the composites with 45.0 vol% TiC individually. The reduction of the inorganic material TiC facilitates the more flexibility of the composites, and the effect of PTC was still stability after several heating cycles. When the content of CB was more than 5.0 vol%, the room temperature resistivity was slightly reduced. However, the PTC intensity dropped below 3.7 abruptly. The micrographs of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the CB had greatly influence on the formation of the electric conduction channel in the matrix.

Effect of phase and elemental composition, structure, and texture of multilayer coatings based on TiCN and TiNbCN on the electrochemical behavior of high-speed steel in 3% NaCl solution

Thin multilayer TiCN and TiNbCN coatings were obtained on a high-speed steel M2 by pulsed magnetron sputtering. The content of N2 and CH4 in the gas mixture was changed to obtain nanostructured layers with different phase and elemental compositions, structure, and texture. The microstructure, defects, and elemental composition of the coatings were investigated using an Ultra 55 field emission electron microscope with an EDX microanalysis system. The phase composition and texture of the coatings were determined using a Shimadzu XRD-6000 X-ray diffractometer with Cu-Kα radiation. Voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy on the coated samples were performed in a 3% NaCl solution. The corrosion behavior of the coatings was characterized by the corrosion current density and polarization resistance (at the corrosion potential). It is shown that the investigated coatings are electrochemically active, and corrosion processes occur not only on the substrate in the discontinuities of the coating but also on the surface of the coating. The TiN-TiCN-TiCN multilayer coating with a maximum content of the three-component phase TiC0.496N0.502, a minimum content of the carbide phase TiC, a maximum texture coefficient, a minimum crystallite size, lower internal stresses and deformations of the crystal lattice has the lowest corrosion current density 0.75 µA cm−2 among the investigated coatings. Niobium improves corrosion resistance, but the presence of a significant amount of the TiC carbide phase in the TiNbCN coating reduces this effect. The morphology of the coating surface after the electrochemical test was studied. The maximum damage of the surface layer is observed for the multilayer TiCN (1) coating.

Effect of TiC content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-30Mo-xTiC composites

TiC reinforced titanium matrix composites are promising for advanced applications. In this study, the Ti-30Mo-xTiC composites with the TiC content of 0, 0.5, 2.5 and 5 wt% were prepared using a powder metallurgy method. The results showed that TiC in Ti-30Mo exhibited a stoichiometric ratio of Ti to C over 1:1, along with demonstrating a semi-coherent lattice relationship with the β-Ti matrix lattice. Further, the excess C element diffused from the TiC particles to the matrix at the interface with large solid solubility, thus, promoting the sintering densification. Compared with Ti-30Mo, the composites with TiC addition revealed much higher relative density. Increasing the TiC content could increase the matrix microhardness and elastic modulus, however, the ultimate tensile strength and elongation were decreased. The mechanical properties were improved owing to the cooperative effect of densification, TiC particle reinforcement, solid solution of Mo and C elements and semi-coherent interface. As a result, the Ti-30Mo-0.5TiC composite presented an excellent combination of properties: matrix microhardness of 294 HV0.3, ultimate tensile strength of 820 MPa, elongation of 6.5% and elastic modulus of 112 GPa.

Nano TiC modified Ti(C,N)-based cermets with weakened rim-binder interfaces

In order to solve the problems of high internal stress of core-rim structure, and denitrification behavior of Ti(C, N)-based cermets, nano TiC powders were adopted to promote the diffusion-controlled formation of inner rims and to modify the metal-ceramic interfaces. Based on this, Ti(C,N)-based cermets with 0–8 wt% nano TiC were prepared via solid-state nitrogen-pressure sintering and subsequently Ar-pressure HIP sintering. Nano TiC refined the microstructure and resulted in more white core-rim phase with thicker rims, and ultrafine rimless Ti(C,N). Nano TiC greatly affected the rim-binder interfaces via shifting the equilibrium crystal morphology of (Ti,M) (C,N) in Ni–Co from cubic to octahedron. With the increasing nano TiC content, the orientation relationship of rim-binder interface changed from (200)rim//(111)binder to (111)rim//(111)binder, and the interface strain increaseds. Cermets with {200} rim-binder interface exhibited high bending strength but low fracture toughness and tensile strength, owing to the high bonding strength between rim and binder. Otherwise, weakening strength of the rim-binder interface could enhance the toughness via the breaking of ceramic-binder boundaries. A promising route for preparing Ti(C,N)-based cermets with satisfactory mechanical properties was put forward, via adjusting the rim-binder interfaces.

Microstructure-abrasive wear correlation of in situ ZA27/TiC composites

Abrasive wear is a complex surface degradation process driven by various factors such as microstructure, the mechanical properties of the target material, the abrasive, loading conditions, and the surrounding environment. In this study, in situ TiC reinforced Zinc Aluminum alloy composites were prepared through a liquid metallurgy route and the synergistic effect of applied load, sliding speed, abrasive grit size and TiC content on the high-stress abrasive wear response were investigated. The test materials' wear response was established by characterising wear surfaces, sub-surfaces, debris particles, and an abrasive medium. The study suggests that the wear resistance of the specimens decreases with an increase in the applied load, and the composite reinforced with 10 wt % of TiC shows superior wear behaviour among all the test materials. The study also points out that the ZA-27 alloy reinforced with in situ TiC can be a suitable replacement of the conventionally used materials for automotive applications.

Removal of atmospheric CO2 by engineered soils in infrastructure projects

The use of crushed basic igneous rock and crushed concrete for enhanced rock weathering and to facilitate pedogenic carbonate precipitation provides a promising method of carbon sequestration. However, many of the controls on precipitation and subsequent effects on soil properties remain poorly understood. In this study, engineered soil plots, with different ratios of concrete or dolerite combined with sand, have been used to investigate relationships between sequestered inorganic carbon and geotechnical properties, over a two-year period. Cone penetration tests with porewater pressure measurements (CPTu) were conducted to determine changes in tip resistance and pore pressure. C and O isotope analysis was carried out to confirm the pedogenic origin of carbonate minerals. TIC analysis shows greater precipitation of pedogenic carbonate in plots containing concrete than those with dolerite, with the highest sequestration values of plots containing each material being equivalent to 33.7 t C ha−1 yr−1 and 17.5 t C ha−1 yr−1, respectively, calculated from extrapolation of results derived from the TIC analysis. TIC content showed reduction or remained unchanged for the top 0.1 m of soil; at a depth of 0.2 m however, for dolerite plots, a pattern of seasonal accumulation and loss of TIC emerged. CPTu tip resistance measurements showed that the presence of carbonates had no observable effect on penetration resistance, and in the case of porewater pressure measurements, carbonate precipitation does not change the permeability of the substrate, and so does not affect drainage. The results of this study indicate that both the addition of dolerite and concrete serve to enhance CO2 removal in soils, that soil temperature appears to be a control on TIC precipitation, and that mineral carbonation in constructed soils does not lead to reduced drainage or an increased risk of flooding.

Numerical study on the warm compaction and solid-state sintering of TiC/316L composite powders from particulate scale

Powder compaction and sintering are critical stages of powder metallurgy in manufacturing high performance particle reinforced metal matrix composites. In this paper, particulate scale numerical investigations on the warm compaction and solid-state sintering of TiC/316L composite powders with different particle size ratios (PSRs, R316L/RTiC) and TiC contents were performed using multi-particle finite element method (MPFEM) in two dimensions. The effects of PSR and TiC content, compaction pressure and temperature, and sintering temperature on the compaction and sintering processes were comprehensively analyzed. On this basis, a variety of macro- and microscopic analyses were conducted to further identify the densification dynamics and mechanisms. The results indicate that green compacts with higher relative density and more uniform stress distribution can be readily achieved by warm compaction. The large-scale plastic deformation of 316L particles caused by the cooperative actions of temperature and pressure is the main densification mechanism in warm compaction. During solid-state sintering, the improvement of relative density is mainly achieved by the vanishing or shrinkage of residual pores along with the growth of sintering necks, accompanied by the deformation of 316L particles. Large displacements of particles mainly occur in contacting areas of adjacent particles. Moreover, the equivalent stress in 316L particles is smaller than that in TiC particles. With the increase of PSR and TiC content, lower relative density of green compacts and sintered parts were obtained and more irregular morphologies of 316L particles can be observed.

Microstructure evolution, enhanced hardness and toughness in the solid-solution ceramic composite by reaction pressureless sintering of ZrB2 and TiC powders

Fully dense ZrB2–TiC composites were produced by reactive pressureless sintering using ZrB2 and TiC as the starting reactants. The effect of TiC content on microstructure and mechanical properties of ZrB2–TiC composites was investigated. The densification and grain refinement were achieved due to the reaction and solid solution coupling effect. Besides, elongated (Ti, Zr)B2 plate-like grains with a high aspect ratio were obtained for the first time by the reaction of ZrB2 and TiC. The ZrB2-70 mol%TiC composite exhibited good comprehensive mechanical properties of high hardness of 29.0 GPa, flexural strength of 555 MPa, and fracture toughness of 5.4 MPa m1/2 due to grain-refinement and solid solution strengthening, and plate-like grains toughening effects.

Residual Stress Induced by Addition of Nanosized TiC in Titanium Matrix Composite.

A hot pressing process was employed to produce titanium-based composites. Nanosized TiC particles were incorporated in order to improve mechanical properties of the base material. The amount of nanosized additions in the composites was 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt %, respectively. Moreover, a TiB phase was produced by in situ method during sintering process. The microstructure of the Ti–TiB–TiC composites was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Due to the hot pressing process the morphology of primary TiC particles was changed. Observed changes in the size and shape of the reinforcing phase suggest the transformation of primary carbides into secondary carbides. Moreover, an in situ formation of TiB phase was observed in the material. Additionally, residual stress measurements were performed and revealed a mostly compressive nature with the fine contribution of shear. With an increase in TiC content, linear stress decreased, which was also related with the presence of the TiB phase.

Mechanism of liquid-phase interaction between nanocrystalline composition (VC0.40О0.53–C)–C and titanium nickelide

The article considers the possibility of binding free carbon existing in the VC0.40O0.53–Cfree nanocrystalline composition to the carbide phase. This composition is obtained by plasma-chemical synthesis in a low-temperature nitrogen plasma. As a carbide former, titanium was used in the form of its nickelide TiNi, which has a melting point of 1310 °С. Experiments were carried out under vacuum sintering conditions involving the liquid phase at 1500 °C for 40 min. The data obtained in X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive analysis were used to determine the phase composition and microstructural features of sintered samples. Liquid-phase interaction between the VC0.40O0.53–Cfree nanocrystalline composition and titanium nickelide, the content of which varied from 10 to 99 wt.%, was studied based on the results of experiments. It was shown that the content of Cfree and VC vanadium carbide increases with the simultaneously increasing TiC content as the TiNi mass content increases in the range of 10–90 wt.%. With a further increase in the titanium nickelide content to 99 wt.%, Ti3Ni4 and Ni3Ti nickelides are present after sintering. The content of free carbon increases to 88 wt.%, and the amount of TiC decreases to 5 wt.%. The data obtained in the course of the study were used to propose various schemes of processes occurring during the (VC0.40O0.53–Cfree)–TiNi liquid phase sintering. In particular, sintering involving the liquid phase proceeds in three stages including TiNi melting, refractory base dissolution, its reprecipitation in the form of TiCx and VCx carbides, and cooling of the resulting composition. It should be noted that the mechanism of liquid-phase interaction during vacuum sintering involving the liquid phase was developed on the basis of the laws presented in the paper by M. Gumenik.

Effect of TiC content on the carbide particle growth of NbC-Ni cemented carbide

The current study reports the influence of TiC addition on carbide particle growth of NbC-Ni cemented carbides. Microstructural analysis after liquid phase sintering in vacuum at 1420 °C for 40 min showed a decrease in NbC grain size as TiC content increased, associate to a change in NbC carbide morphology from rounded to equiaxed. Chemical composition from EDS analysis revealed a mixed carbide (Nb,Ti)C formation, with a gradient of Ti in carbide region for samples with TiC above 15%. Dictra® simulations of spherical particles immersed in Ni matrix evidenced a retardation in carbide dissolution and a decrease in the volume dissolved as TiC is added. It was also noted that liquid phase composition for 140 min showed less Nb in liquid phase available for reprecipitation during cooling process, promoting carbide particle growth inhibition. Ti profiles from Dictra® and carbide composition from EDS suggest a thin Ti rich layer formation in carbide/binder interface, which can be related to the carbide particle growth inhibition mechanism. TiC addition promote an increase in hardness and toughness values, and the highest values for both properties was found for 7%TiC-NbC-12%Ni composition (mass percent).

Artificial Neural Network Modeling to Predict the Effect of Milling Time and TiC Content on the Crystallite Size and Lattice Strain of Al7075-TiC Composites Fabricated by Powder Metallurgy

In the study, Al7075-TiC composites were synthesized by using a novel dual step blending process followed by cold pressing and sintering. The effect of ball milling time on the microstructure of the synthesized composite powder was characterized using X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Subsequently, the integrated effects of the two-stage mechanical alloying process were investigated on the crystallite size and lattice strain. The crystallite size and lattice strain of blended samples were calculated using the Scherrer method. The prediction of the crystallite size and lattice strain of synthesized composite powders was conducted by an artificial neural network technique. The results of the mixed powder revealed that the particle size and crystallite size improved with increasing milling time. The particle size of the 3 h-milled composites was 463 nm, and it reduces to 225 nm after 7 h of milling time. The microhardness of the produced composites was significantly improved with milling time. Furthermore, an artificial neuron network (ANN) model was developed to predict the crystallite size and lattice strain of the synthesized composites. The ANN model provides an accurate model for the prediction of lattice parameters of the composites.

Microstructure and properties of inter/inner-layer regions of TiCp/Ti6Al4V composites manufactured by laser melting deposition

5 vol% TiCp/Ti6Al4V and 20 vol% TiCp/Ti6Al4V composites are manufactured by laser melting deposition. Non-uniform gathering phenomenon of undissolved TiC has been found in the interlayer regions of deposits, which is resulted from temperature gradient and Marangoni flow in the molten pool. Inner-layer regions have better tensile properties than interlayer regions due to lower local content of undissolved TiC. Undissolved TiC particles adversely impact the ductility and strength of composites because of their brittleness per-se, their larger sizes and the flaws in them.

Effect of TiC Content on Wear Performance of A356 Matrix Composites at Different Temperatures

Effect of TiC Content on Wear Performance of A356 Matrix Composites at Different Temperatures

Tunable microwave absorption band via rational design of C@TiC nanospheres

To effectively tune material's microwave absorption band, it is necessary to build a special structure and composition. Titanium carbide nanoparticles decorated carbon nanospheres (C@TiC) were prepared by using carbon nanospheres as a initial structure-directing agent, and their absorption band was tuned by rational design of TiC content. With increasing dosage of tetrabutyl titanate (TBT), absorption band of C@TiC dispersed in paraffin (30 wt%) gradually shifted from Ku to S-band, realizing the adjustment of absorption band. For example, when the amount of TBT was 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mL, the minimum reflection loss (RL) of C@TiC was about −49.8, −52.4 and −50.3 dB at 17.4, 13.1 and 6.6 GHz, respectively. Excellent performance was attributed to good impedance match and synergistic effect between carbon spheres and TiC nanoparticles. This in-situ phase transition induced nanoheterostructure would provide a way for microwave absorbers with tunable band.

Enhancement of Wear Resistance on H13 Tool and Die Steels by Trace Nanoparticles

In order to improve the impact toughness and wear resistance of the tool and die steels, this study innovatively prepared strengthened H13 steels with different contents of single-phase TiC and dual-phase TiC + TiB2 through in situ nanoparticle/Al master alloys at room temperature. The microstructure evolution and mechanical properties as well as wear resistance were investigated. Results indicate that the H13 steel with 0.02 wt.% dual-phase TiC + TiB2 nanoparticles has a more uniform and finer microstructure, and the mechanical properties and wear resistance are significantly improved. The yield strength, maximum tensile strength, breaking strain, uniform elongation, product of strength plasticity, and unnotched and U-notched impact toughness of H13 steel with 0.02 wt.% dual-phase TiC + TiB2 are higher than that of H13 steel. In addition, the volume wear rate, maximum scratch depth and width reach 7.1 × 10−11 m3/m, 6050 nm and 90 μm, respectively, which are reduced by 44.5%, 30.1% and 45.5% compared with that of H13 steel. Refining the microstructure and improving impact toughness and wear resistance of H13 tool steel through trace nanoparticles can provide important inspiration for industrial applications.

Lithium Storage Properties of TiC‐Modified SnS2 Nanosheets

AbstractTo deal with the problem of low conductivity and easy restacking of SnS2 nanosheets, TiC‐modified SnS2 nanosheets have been obtained by sulfurization of Sn/TiC precursors. Electrochemical test results show that a synergistic effect of ultrathin SnS2 nanosheets and highly conductive TiC can significantly improve the lithium storage properties of the nanocomposite. The higher the TiC content in the SnS2/TiC nanosheets, the greater their capacity. More specifically, an SnS2/TiC (35 %) electrode delivers a high reversible capacity of 631 mAh g−1 at 0.3 A g−1 after 100 cycles, corresponding to a capacity retention of 87.0 %. Moreover, it exhibits a higher surface area of 50.076 m2 g−1 and outstanding cyclability with a reversible capacity of 597 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 350 cycles. Overall SnS2/TiC nanosheets have high yield and purity, and their preparation is simple, making them an ideal candidate material for high‐performance anodes in next‐generation Li‐ion batteries.