Investigation of the pre-milling effect on synthesis of nanocrystalline TiB2–TiC composite prepared by SHS method

NanocrystallineTiB2–TiC composite was readily prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) of the mechanically milled powders. Mixture of Ti and B4C as the starting materials were initially milled for 1, 3, 6 and 9 h, and pressed to form the pellets. The green compacts were placed in a tube furnace preheated to 1100 °C and 1200 °C in argon atmosphere. The samples were characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM analytical techniques. The results showed that, increasing the milling time enhances the formation of TiC and TiB2 phases and reduces the furnace temperature necessary for the synthesis process. In fact, the powder milled for the longer time, required the lower temperature for the SHS process to occur.