Sintering Behavior of TiC-Fe Based Composite Fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering Using TiH{sub}2-Graphite Powders

摘要

TiC particulate reinforced Fe matrix composite compacts with controlled interfacial reaction was processed by spark plasma sintering after mechanical alloying. Milled powders were fabricated for 1-5 hours by spex shaker mill with the ball to powder ratio of 25:2. Metal matrix composites (MMCs) based on the Fe-40%TiC system can be synthesized by spark plasma sintering of the D'AE powders with TiH{sub}2-graphite powders under vacuum in the temperature range 1273-1473K for 5-20 min. TiC phase was formed by self combustion reaction with temperature increase. The specimen that was formed by sintering Fe-TiC powders displayed a microstructure of uniformly dispersed TiC grain in a continuous metal matrix. The densifications of the TiC-Fe materials were increased as the heat-treatment holding time increasing. In the same time, relative density and hardness of TiC-Fe sintering materials was increased.