Preparation and Mechanical Properties of TiB₂ Composites Containing Ni and C

Abstract

Mechanical properties of pressureless sintered TiB₂ containing Ni and C were investigated. Ni and C play an important role in the densification of TiB₂. Sintered TiB₂ containing 7.5wt% (14Ni:1.5C) exhibited a bending strength of 470MPa, Vickers hardness of 17GPa and K_IC of 4.9MPa·m^1/2. The fracture surface of TiB₂ sintered containing Ni and C showed both transgranular and intergranular fracture modes. XRD analysis detected Ni₃B and TiC phases besides in addition to TiB₂ in the sintered body.