Fabrication and characterisation of Titanium Matrix Composites obtained using a combination of Self propagating High temperature Synthesis and Spark Plasma Sintering

This work presents a novel processing method for the fabrication of particle reinforced Titanium Matrix Composites (TMCs). TMCs are a promising alternative to improve the mechanical properties of titanium alloys. In the processing method, the reinforcement (TiC-Ti) was obtained by Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis (SHS). The composition of the reinforcement was Ti_1.3C. An excess of titanium compared to the equiatomic TiC was introduced in the reaction in order to control the size of the reinforcement and to improve the compatibility between reinforcement and matrix. This reinforcement was mixed with Ti-6Al-4V powder and the final consolidation of the TMC was performed by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). The microstructure and mechanical characterisation of the TMCs are presented. Comparing tensile properties with conventional Ti-6Al-4V alloys, the materials developed in this work present higher young modulus and tensile strength. In addition, in order to study the possible scale up of SPS process for the production of TMCs, the manufacturing of large samples was studied.