Gradient microstructure of titanium nitride fabricated by combustion synthesis with liquid nitrogen

• Published in: Journal of the European Ceramic Society 2005-11, Vol.25 (16), p.3657-3662
• Main Authors: Shibuya, M., Despres, J.F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical synthesis; combustion synthesis; Chemistry; Combustion synthesis; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Elements and non-metal compounds (oxides, hydroxides, hydrides, sulfides, carbides, ...); Exact sciences and technology; Hardness; Inorganic chemistry and origins of life; Liquid nitrogen; Materials science; Materials synthesis; materials processing; Microstructure; Physics; Preparations and properties; TiN
• ISSN: 0955-2219; 1873-619X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2004.10.012

Titanium nitride has been fabricated by combustion synthesis from a titanium powder compact and liquid nitrogen in a closed vessel. This method drastically increases the pressure around the sample, resulting in combustion propagation. The products obtained in this system are non-homogeneous in morphology and composition along the propagation direction. The nitridation and densification of the products have improved with the increase of the maximum pressure or pressure gradient. With a pressure gradient of 9.5 MPa s −1, the first combustion part of the product is almost unreacted titanium, but the main product at the last combustion part is titanium nitride (TiN 0.75) with a dense body. The Vickers micro-hardness of the product (at 0.98 N force) along the propagation direction is gradually increased from 9.7 to 17.3 GPa.