Thermal stability of n-TiB2 reinforced α-Al2O3/SiC based nanocomposite sintered at 1600˚C using TG/DTA under controlled Ar atmosphere

Innovation in material science progresses the usage of Al2O3/SiC based nanocomposites in gas turbine engine components, the harp-shaped structure of hypersonic rocket engine cutting tools for Ni, Al alloys, and clutch plate for two-wheelers. Thermal stability is one of the significant properties of gas turbine and rocket engine materials. Future engines may have to operate at very high temperature that may require high thermally stable material. In this research, an attempt is made to enhance the thermal stability of the Al2O3/SiC based nanocomposite by reinforcing 5-20 Vol. % nano Titanium Boride. Fabrication of α-Al2O3/SiC with 5-20 Vol. % n-TiB2 was carried out through pressureless sintering at 1600˚C followed by cold compaction. The fabrication process was carried out at a controlled Ar atmosphere. Thermal stability of the sintered samples was analyzed by NETZSCH STA 449F3 thermogravimetric analyzer with a heating rate of 10˚C/min and compared with Al2O3/SiC. The composite α-Al2O3/SiC/(5-20 Vol. %) n-TiB2 showed good thermal stability up to 1488˚C with 6% less mass change than Al2O3/SiC. The addition of n-TiB2 enhanced the collaboration between the atoms and postponed the decomposition temperature. The microstructure of the 20 vol % n-TiB2 added α-Al2O3/SiC was captured by 20 kV JSM-5600J Scanning Electron Microscopy and confirmed the presence of n-TiB2. Also, the presence of Ti, Si, Al, O, and B in the nanocomposite was confirmed by energy dispersive analysis of X-beams (EDS).

Precipitation and Distribution Behavior of In Situ-Formed TiB Whiskers in Ti64 Composites Fabricated by Selective Laser Melting

The precipitation and distribution behaviors of in situ-formed titanium boride whiskers (TiB) in TiBw-reinforced Ti-6%Al-4%V (Ti64) composites fabricated from an elemental mixture of Ti64 alloy powder and TiB2 particles by selective laser melting were investigated. The primary precipitation of TiB whiskers strongly depends on B content. For a B content of less than 2 mass%, when the liquid → β-phase transformation occurred and B atoms were discharged, the B-enriched area formed around the β-phase resulted in the generation of TiB whiskers and their agglomeration at the prior β-grain boundaries. When the B content was over 2 mass%, TiB whiskers directly precipitated from the liquid phase and moved to the molten pool boundary via Marangoni convection. As a result, the TiB whiskers were located along the boundary. Furthermore, B-enrichment caused a decrease in the liquidus temperature and thus obstructed β-grain coarsening, and as a result, fine equiaxed α’-grains formed during the phase transformation.

Formation of boride layers on a commercially pure Ti surface produced via powder metallurgy

In this study, powder metallurgy was applied in a furnace atmosphere to form titanium boride layers on a commercially pure Ti surface. Experiments were carried out using the solid-state boriding method at 900 °C and 1000°C for 12 h and 24 h. Samples were produced by pressing the commercially pure Ti powders under 870 MPa. The sintering process required by the powder metallurgy method was carried out simultaneously with the boriding process. Thus, the sintering and boriding were performed in one stage. The formation of the boride layer was investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy, optical-light microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and elemental dispersion spectrometry analyses. In addition, microhardness measurements were performed to examine the effect of the boriding process on hardness. The Vickers microhardness of the boronized surface reached 1773 HV, which was much higher than the 150 HV hardness of the commercially pure Ti substrate. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the boriding process had enabled the formation of TiB and TiB2 on the powder metallurgy Ti substrate surface. Consequently, the production of Ti via powder metallurgy is a potentially cost-effective alternative to the conventional method, and the boriding process supplies TiB and TiB2 that provide super-high hardness and excellent wear and corrosion resistance.