TiB₂-TiC-SiC composites prepared through high-gravity field activated SHS

TiB₂-TiC-SiC composites were prepared by high-gravity activated SHS using (Ti+B₄C+Si) mixing powders. XRD, FESEM and FETEM results showed that the matrix of composites was mainly composed of TiB₂, TiC and β-SiC. Uniformly-distributed TiB₂ platelets formed the skeleton of composites, and irregular TiC and β-SiC solids were embedded between TiB₂ matrix. It is supposed that TiB₂ phases firstly precipitate prior to TiC from the molten reactive product in high-gravity field due to higher concentration of boron atom, and SiC solids solidify at final solidification stage and feed the TiB₂ platelet skeleton, which effectively reduce the porosity and promote the relative density of composites.