Fabrication of TiC/Ti and TiB₂/Ti Functionally Gradient Materials using Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis

Abstract

The most difficult task of fabrication of ceramics-metal functionally gradient materials (FGMs) by the powder molding method is to simultaneously sinter two materials with largely different sintering temperature. In this work, the mixed powders of Ti and C and Ti and B were laminated with gradually changing composition, and then sintered using self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS). It was found that TiC/Ti and TiB₂/Ti FGMs with high hardness could be fabricated from two kinds of the mixed powders at the lower sintering temperature than that of monolithic TiC and TiB₂. Two kinds of FGMs were fabricated by spark plasma sintering(SPS) and pressureless sintering.