Formation of TiB2/TiN nanocomposite powder by high energy ball milling and subsequent heat treatment

TiB2/TiN nanocomposite powder was fabricated by high energy ball milling and subsequent heat treatment. The microstructure development of the powder mixtures was monitored by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimeter, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that TiN formed within 30 h of milling. After 40 h of milling, the resulting powder mixture was composed of a small amount of nanosized TiN particles, nanocrystalline Ti and amorphous phase. The nanocrystalline Ti and amorphous phase were transformed into TiN and TiB2 after subsequent heat treatment.