Net-Shaping of In-situ Synthesized (TiC+TiB) Hybrid Titanium Matrix Composites

Abstract

The aim of this study is to establish an effective technique for the economic net-shape forming of in-situ synthesized titanium matrix composites (TMCs) using a casting route. In-situ synthesis and investment casting of TMCs were carried out in a horizontal centrifugal vacuum induction melting furnace. The synthesized (TiC+TiB) TMCs were examined using scanning electron microscopy, electron probe micro-analyzer and X-ray diffraction, and through thermodynamic calculations. No melts-mold reaction was observed between the synthesized composites and a SKK mold, since the SKK mold comprised both interstitial and substitutional melts-mold reaction products. The results of the in-situ synthesis and the investment casting of TMCs show that our casting route can be an effective approach for the economic net-shape forming of TMCs.