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Enhancement of mechanical strength in hot-pressed TiB/sub 2/ composites by the addition of Fe and Ni

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6343690
Improvement in the fracture strength of TiB/sub 2/ composites through the addition of Fe and Ni is reported. Beam specimens containing up to 20 wt % of the metal component were fabricated by hot pressing above the eutectic temperature. Four point bending results indicated that the observed enhancement in strength was proportional to the vol % of the metal present. The results also revealed that TiB/sub 2/--Ni composites have slightly better strength than TiB/sub 2/--Fe samples at elevated temperatures, and that their strengths were consistently about twice that of pure TiB/sub 2/. They also did not exhibit any serious degradation in strength up to 700/sup 0/C. The fracture behavior was characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The strengthening appears to be related to the presence of a metallic grain boundary phase between TiB/sub 2/ particles. The results further suggested that the formation of a special eutectic-like grain microstructure could render additional strengthening.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
6343690
Report Number(s):
CONF-781093-2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English