Structural evolutions of mechanically alloyed and heat treated Ti50C50 and Ti33B67 powders

The TiC and TiB2 powders were successfully synthesized by ball milling the Ti50C50 and Ti33B67 elemental powders, respectively. During ball milling the Ti50C50 powder, a solid solution of C in Ti, Ti(C), was first formed, followed by TiC. After milling for 80 h, the powder was composed of TiC with grain size of 6 nm and a small amount of Ti(C) which was finally completely transformed to TiC after heat treatment. During ball milling the Ti33B67 powder, a solid solution of B in Ti, Ti(B), was first formed followed by the formation of an amorphous structure which transformed into a hexagonal phase of TiB2 with grain size of about 10 nm.