Reaction in Al-Ti-C powders and its relation to the formation and stability of TiC in Al at high temperatures

• Published in: Scripta materialia 2000-06, Vol.42 (12), p.1187-1192
• Main Authors: Kennedy, A.R, Weston, D.P, Jones, M.I, Enel, C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Differential thermal analysis; Dispersion-, fiber-, and platelet-reinforced metal-based composites; Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; Metals. Metallurgy; Microstructure; Other materials; Physics; Powder processing; Specific materials
• ISSN: 1359-6462; 1872-8456
• DOI: 10.1016/S1359-6462(00)00356-0

To elucidate reactions in the Al-Ti-C system, 50-micron-diameter aluminum, less than 150-micron-diameter titanium, and less than 1-micron-diameter carbon black powders were mixed, pressed, and heated, under argon, in a Netzsch 404 differential scanning calorimeter, at rates of 5 and 20 C/min, between 20 and 1100 C. Al4C3 and Al3Ti powders were also mixed with Al, Ti, and C powders and processed in the same way. On the basis of observation and analysis of the microstructures produced, it was found that, for Ti and C concentrations, equivalent to those observed in matrix composites, TiC forms from Al3Ti and Al4C3 above 890 C. Microstructural evidence suggests that the formation of TiC occurs by reaction between Ti dissolved in Al and Al4C3 through the dissolution of Al3Ti. It is inferred that TiC particles react in Al below 890 C to form Al3Ti and Al4C3. (AIAA)