The combustion synthesis process of Al-Ti-C system in an elevated-temperature Al-melt

One of the main disadvantages of combustion synthesis of ceramic/metal composite materials is the relatively high level of porosity present in the products. To synthesize TiC/Al composites with a dense structure, this paper proposes a novel application of an elevated-temperature Al-melt to directly, ignite and simultaneously infiltrate Al-Ti-C preform dipped in the melt. The emphasis was placed on the combustion synthesis process and microstructural evalution of the preform in the melt, by, a liquid quenching test combined with the measurement of the temperature history of the dipped preform. The results show that the combustion synthesis process of the preform in the elevated-temperature melt involves a series of reactions, and that higher temperature of the melt is favourable for the formation of TiC. The synthesized TiC/Al composites exhibit a dense structure, which is attributed to the infiltration of the melt into the preform.