Synthesis of Fine Ceramic Particles in Molten Aluminum by Combustion Reaction

Abstract

Ceramic particles (TiB₂ and TiC) dispersed aluminum alloy was synthesized by a combustion reaction. Starting materials were aluminum, titanium, boron and boron carbide. The heat of reaction between Ti/B and Ti/B₄C was too high to maintain the original configuration of the blended powder compact. Aluminum was added to the blended powder mixture to control the adiabatic temperature of the reaction. Aluminum could successfully control the adiabatic temperature and prevented the collapse of the precursor. The average size of the TiB₂ and TiC particles strongly depended on the amount of aluminum added as the diluents of the heat of reaction. By increasing the aluminum addition to the powder phase, the average size of TiB₂ and TiC particles synthesized by the combustion reaction decreased. The TiB₂ and TiC particles were extracted from aluminum matrix, and confirmed to have submicron size under the suitable conditions.