Titanium carbide–titanium diboride (TiC–TiB2) composite powders were synthesised through a carbothermal reduction method by using titanium dioxide, boric acid, and different carbon sources (namely, carbon black, sucrose, and glucose) as starting materials. The thermal decomposition behaviour of the precursors was studied by thermogravimetry–differential thermal analyser. Phase compositions and morphologies of the synthesised products were characterised by X-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscope. When n(Ti):n(B):n(C) = 1.0:2.5:5.0, the blended stock mainly formed TiB2 with sucrose or glucose as a carbon source, whereas the stock produced TiC when carbon black was the source. At an optimum reaction temperature, the particles of the powders synthesised from carbon black as a carbon source were the smallest at approximately 100 nm. With increasing amount of boric acid in the precursor, the morphologies of the samples changed into less spherical particles, and more flaky grains and small particles with irregular structures were observed.
VallauriD, AtiasIC, AdrianA.TiC–TiB2 composites: a review of phase relationships, processing and properties. J Eur Ceram Soc. 2008;28:1697–1713. doi: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2007.11.011
2.
YangYF, MuDK, JiangQC.A simple route to fabricate TiC–TiB2/Ni composite via thermal explosion reaction assisted with external pressure in air. Mater Chem Phys. 2014;143:480–485. doi: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2013.10.003
3.
CuiHZ, ZhangYF, ZhangGS, Pore and microstructure change induced by SiC whiskers and particles in porous TiB2-TiC-Ti3SiC2 composites. Ceram Int. 2016;42:8376–8384. doi: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2016.02.052
4.
WangHH, SunSC, WangDY, Characterization of the structure of TiB2/TiC composites prepared via mechanical alloying and subsequent pressureless sintering. Powder Technol. 2012;217:340–346. doi: 10.1016/j.powtec.2011.10.046
SongJP, HuangCZ, LvM, Effects of TiC content and melt phase on microstructure and mechanical properties of ternary TiB2-based ceramic cutting tool materials. Mater Sci Eng A. 2014;605:137–143. doi: 10.1016/j.msea.2014.03.036
7.
WangDY, WangHH, SunSC, Fabrication and characterization of TiB2/TiC composites. Int J Refract Metal Hard Mater. 2014;45:95–101. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2014.03.004
8.
RazaviM, RahimipourMR, KaboliR.Synthesis of TiC nanocomposite powder from impure TiO2 and carbon black by mechanically activated sintering. J Alloys Compd. 2008;460:694–698. doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2007.06.080
9.
KimJW, ShimJH, AhnJP, Mechanochemical synthesis and characterization of TiB2 and VB2 nanopowders. Mater Lett. 2008;62:2461–2464. doi: 10.1016/j.matlet.2007.12.022
10.
RabiezadehaA, HadianbAM, AtaieA.Synthesis and sintering of TiB2 nanoparticles. Ceram Int. 2014;40:15775–15782. doi: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2014.07.102
11.
GadakaryS, KhanraAK, VeerabauR.Production of nanocrystalline TiB2 powder through self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) of TiO2–H3BO3–Mg mixture. Adv Appl Ceram. 2014;113:419–426. doi: 10.1179/1743676114Y.0000000188
12.
YuYH, WangT, ZhangHM, Low temperature combustion synthesis of TiC powder induced by PTFE. J Inorg Mater. 2015;30:272–276. doi: 10.15541/jim20140307
13.
LiangCH, MengGW, ChenW, Growth and characterization of TiC nanorods activated by nickel nanoparticles. J Cryst Growth. 2000;220:296–300. doi: 10.1016/S0022-0248(00)00849-6
14.
XiongHW, LiZY, ZhouKC, Synthesis and growth mechanism of TiC whiskers by carbothermal reduction of titania/microcrystalline cellulose. J Am Ceram Soc. 2015;98:1951–1958. doi: 10.1111/jace.13539
HuJL, XiaoHN, GuoWM, Effect of AlN–Y2O3 addition on the properties and microstructure of in situ strengthened SiC–TiB2 composites prepared by hot pressing. Ceram Int. 2014;40:1065–1071. doi: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2013.06.105
17.
HuJ, PengH, TianX, Effect of different carbon sources on synthesis of TiC–TiB2 composite powders. J Chin Ceram Soc. 2016;44:408–413.
18.
ZhangZX, CaoXW, ZhangLS, The carbonation of carbon source and its choice in the carbon coating treatment of LiFePO4. Chem. 2009;72:313–319.
19.
WangYL, FuZY, WangH, Synthesis of TiB2–TiC composite powder by SHS reduction process. Acta Mater Compos Sin. 2003;20:16–21.
20.
QianDX, ZhouN, SunDB, Technical factors affecting the B2O3 volatilization in borosilicate glass melting. J Build Mater. 1998;1:197–200.
21.
ChenYQ, HeHB, LiuC, Thermal decomposition of glucose and sucrose by kinetics analysis. Chin J Process Eng. 2010;10:720–725.
22.
SaitoT, FukudaT, MaedaH, Synthesis of ultrafine titanium diboride particles by rapid carbothermal reduction in a particulate transport reactor. J Mater Sci. 1997;32:3933–3938. doi: 10.1023/A:1018664832203
23.
GuoWM, ZhangGJ.Reaction processes and characterization of ZrB2 powder prepared by boro/carbothermal reduction of ZrO2 in vacuum. J Am Ceram Soc. 2009;92:264–267. doi: 10.1111/j.1551-2916.2008.02836.x
24.
HuJL, XiaoHN, GaoPZ, Synthesis of SiC–TiC composite powders by carbothermal reduction and their sintering behavior. J Ceram Process Res. 2013;14:77–81.
25.
PreissH, BergerLM, SchultzeD.Studies on the carbothermal preparation of titanium carbide from different gel precursors. J Eur Ceram Soc. 1999;19:195–206. doi: 10.1016/S0955-2219(98)00190-3
