PREPARATION AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF AL2O3-TIC COMPOSITES BY SELF-PROPAGATED HIGH-TEMPERATURE SYNTHESIS

This investigation was concerned with the production of ceramic composites based on Al2O3-TiC by means of self-propagated high temperature synthesis. When titanium and carbon black mixed with Al2O3 powder reacted, the ignition and adiabatic temperature showed a dependence on the reactant mixture composition and the amount of precompaction. The effects of these parameters on the product morphology are presented. Conditions under which the reaction ceased to self-propagate are also identified. The reaction mechanism for the reaction between TiO2, Al and carbon black is also discussed. The microstructures of the products from the two reactions are compared.