In situ TiC particles reinforced Ti6Al4V matrix composite with a network reinforcement architecture

TiC particles reinforced Ti6Al4V (TiCp/Ti6Al4V) composite with a network TiCp distribution has been successfully fabricated by reaction hot pressing of coarse Ti6Al4V particles and fine carbon powders. TiC particles are in situ synthesized around the boundaries of the Ti6Al4V particles, and subsequently formed into a TiCp network structure. Contrary to the typical Widmanstätten microstructure for the monolithic Ti6Al4V alloy, an equiaxed (α + β) microstructure for the Ti6Al4V matrix of the composite is formed. This is due to the isotropic tensile stress generated by the network TiCp structure and the mismatch of coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) during the phase transformation. The prepared composite exhibits superior compressive strength before and after heat-treatment due to the reinforcement network architecture and the relatively large matrix region with an equiaxed microstructure.