Hot pressing and microstructural characterization of SiC and TiN added TiB2 ceramics

This investigation aimed to study the individual and synergic impacts of SiC and TiN additives on the sinterability and microstructure of TiB2-based ceramics. The hot-pressing method at 2000 degrees C was implemented to fabricate the samples. All three samples reached their near full densities thanks to the beneficial role of the incorporated phases. In terms of the TiB2-SiC composite, the in-situ SiO2 was produced over the sintering process because of a chemical reaction between TiO2 oxide and SiC reinforcement. On the other hand, the X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, along with the microstructural observations, revealed the in-situ formation of hexagonal BN (hBN) in the TiB2-TiN system. Moreover, the dissolution of boron into the TiN additive led to the formation of a solid solution, and consequently, a strong diffusion bonding was achieved. Although no hBN compound was identified in the ternary system of TiB2-SiC-TiN, the results confirmed the generation of TiC and TiC0.3N0.7 ingredients during the hot pressing.