Microstructure and mechanical properties of platelet-reinforced Ti-B-C ceramics prepared by reaction hot pressing of B4C and Ti powders

Platelets in situ reinforced Ti-B-C composite was synthesized by hot-pressed 4.8:1 Ti/B4C at 1800 degreesC under 35 MPa. The composite is comprised of TiB2 and TiCx phases that determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS). The platelet phases are TiB2 as reinforced particles. TiB2-TiCx composite possesses a high relative density of >98%, and good mechanical properties with a flexural strength of 680 MPa and a fracture toughness of 12 MPa m(1/2), respectively. The reasons of the composite with high mechanical properties were discussed. The microstructure was observed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.