Electron microscopy of reaction layers between SiC and Ti-6Al-4V after laser embedding

A detailed electron microscopic examination of the interface between Ti and SiC is concentrated on. The metal-matrix-composites (MMCs) are produced by the laser particle injection processing route. SiC particles are entrapped during solidification of liquid Ti. Since the injected particles partially dissolve, depending on the process conditions, new phases are formed in the matrix. The degree of dissolution will significantly influence the mechanical performance of the MMC. In particular, the interfacial region with the various phases between Ti and SiC particles is closely investigated with (high resolution) transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, hardness indents are performed to examine the crack initiation and the crack propagation behaviour at the interface. (C) 1998 Acta Metallurgica Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.