TiC/Ti-Al composite fabricated by SHS/dynamic pseudo isostatic compaction through sand medium

TiC/Ti-Al composite was fabricated by pseudo isostatic compaction (DPIC) just after self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS). The pressing of 100 MPa was performed through a sand medium. The process enables to simultaneously synthesize and densify the TiC/Ti-Al composite from Ti/C/Al powders. The sample could be taken out from a reaction vessel within a couple of minutes after ignition. The adiabatic combustion temperatures were also calculated as a function of the mixing ratio of the elemental powders in the reaction system. X-ray diffraction patterns of TiC/Ti-Al produced revealed that the Ti-Al portion consisted of TiAl, Ti{sub 3}Al, TiAl{sub 3} and a slight Ti{sub 4}Al{sub 2}C{sub 2} alloys. The time delay between SHS and DPIC was affected greatly on the product density. The influence of the reactant mixing time on the phase component of the product was also studied. The density and Vickers hardness of the composite were highest in a mixing mole ratio of Ti/C/Al = 2/1/1, 4.2 g/cm{sup 3} and 13 GPa. The Young`s modulus and bending strength were approximately 300 GPa and 500 MPa, respectively.