Effects of calcium nitride and calcium carbonate gasifying agents on the combustion synthesis of Ni3Ti-TiC composites

The synthesis of nickel-titanium (NiTi) intermetallic composites is of considerable interest due to the ability to create a porous material with high strength and improved wear resistance. The effects of adding a carbon reactant to modify the reaction products and exothermicity have been studied using two reaction stoichiometries involving elemental nickel, titanium and carbon (graphite). The present study examines the synthesis of porous Ni3Ti intermetallic composites in the presence of calcium nitride or calcium carbonate gasifying agent. Both gasifying agents show significant effects on the ignition characteristics of the reaction, burning velocities and TiC particle sizes present in the final product, but do not affect the combustion temperatures. C 2006 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.