Titanium diboride composite with improved sintering characteristics

Titanium diboride (TiB2) and its ceramic composites were prepared by hot pressing. The sintering process, phase evolution, microstructure, and mechanical properties of TiB2 ceramics prepared by using different milling media materials: tungsten carbide (W.C./Co) or SiAlON was studied. It was found that the inclusion of W.C./Co significantly improved the sinterability of the TiB2 ceramics. A core/rim structure was identified with pure TiB2 as the core and W-rich TiB2, i.e., (Ti, W)B2 as the rim. Microstructure analysis revealed that this core/rim structure was formed through a dissolution and re-precipitation process. In addition, silicon carbide (SiC) was also introduced to form TiB2–SiC composites. The addition of SiC as the second phase not only improved the sinterability but also led to greatly enhanced fracture toughness. The optimum mechanical properties with Vickers hardness ~ 22 GPa, and fracture toughness ~ 6 MPa m1/2 were obtained on TiB2–SiC composites milled with W.C./Co. Titanium diboride (TiB2), one of the most important members of transition metal boride materials, has attracted considerable interest due to its excellent mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. In terms of mechanical properties, TiB2 possesses high hardness (> 20 GPa), high elastic modulus (> 500 GPa), as well as moderate flexural strength and fracture toughness, making it an attractive candidate for cutting tools, armor plates, and many other heavy-duty wear applications [1], [2]. TiB2 also belongs to the family of ultrahigh temperature ceramics (UHTCs), which are envisioned to be applicable in hypersonic vehicles because of its high melting point of 3225 ± 20 °C [3]. As TiB2 is electrically conductive, another important evolving application is cathode materials for salt-bath electrolysis in aluminum production [1]. The electrical discharge machinability of TiB2 further opens up application opportunities as complex shapes can be readily fabricated in an economic approach. If you are looking for high quality, high purity, and cost-effective zinc sulfide, or if you require the latest price of zinc sulfide, please feel free to email contact mis-asia.