Synthesis of TiC - Ti Composites via Mechanical Alloying / Spark Plasma Sintering Using Ti and C Powders

In this study, a TiC - Ti composite has been synthesized as a novel cermet without using rare elements like W, Co, and Ni. The mechanical properties of the prepared TiC - Ti composite are improved by utilizing Ti and C powders as raw materials in the mechanical alloying process. The e ff ects of the non-equilibrium state during mechanical alloying on the characteristics of the composite have been analyzed. The results indicate that for short milling times, the addition of 25 mol % of C results in the Ti phase size in the sintered compact typically being on the order of several tens of micrometers, and unreacted C remains in the sample. A milling time of 2 21.6 ks a ff ords a TiC - Ti composite containing approximately 80 % fi ne TiC phase with an average size of 1 - 2 mu m. As the milling progresses, the crystalline size of the Ti phase decreases, while the lattice strain increases. Prolonged milling improves the di ff usion of C into Ti; a milling time of 36 ks at a low temperature of 3 700 K results in the formation of TiC as well as uniform di ff usion of C throughout the Ti phase. Sintering the composite powder milled for 36 ks a ff ords a Vickers hardness of approximately 700 Hv, which is similar to that of a TiC-35 % Ni cermet.