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Title: Lightweight TiC–(Fe–Al) ceramic–metal composites made in situ by pressureless melt infiltration

Journal Article · · Journal of Materials Science

Lightweight ceramic–metal (cermet) composites combine stiffness and hardness with fracture toughness and ductility. TiC and Al are ideal pairs among lightweight cermet composites because of their relatively high strength-to-weight ratios, but these materials are difficult to process in solid state or with Al melt infiltration without making an aluminum carbide phase, which is detrimental to mechanical properties. Here, Fe is added to a TiC powder preform to reduce the activity of Al with TiC during Al melt infiltration and to aid in pressing TiC preforms, making a lightweight TiC–(Fe–Al) composite while avoiding other, unwanted phases. The composites are made by first pressing TiC powder mixed with Fe followed by Al melt infiltration; the result is a composite with high TiC content in a two-phase matrix, both of which are Fe–Al-based. The composite has low density, low porosity, high hardness, no detectable Al4C3 phase with X-ray diffraction and retains shape well during infiltration.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
1543216
Journal Information:
Journal of Materials Science, Vol. 54, Issue 19; ISSN 0022-2461
Publisher:
SpringerCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 4 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Figures / Tables (7)