In situ synthesis of titanium matrix composite (Ti-TiB-TiC) through sintering of TiH2-B4C

Fully densified in-situ reinforced (TiB + TiC)-Ti matrix composites have been produced from TiH2-B4C mixtures using pressure less sintering or hot pressing technique. With increasing content of reinforcing components the sintering is retarded. The materials with more than 20 - 30 vol% were only completely densified by hot pressing technique. Hard-ness values of the Ti matrix composites produced are up to 5 times higher than that of the sintered pure Ti produced from TiH2. This is caused beside the higher hardness of the inclusions also by hardening the matrix due to solubility of B and C in the titanium.