OXIDATION OF TIB2 POWDERS BELOW 900-DEGREES-C

Oxidation studies have been performed on titanium diboride (TiB2) powd ers, from room temperature up to 900 degrees C. The studies were perfo rmed at low partial pressures of oxygen, at 10 and 0.05 ppm of O-2 in argon, simulating furnace atmosphere with flowing neutral gas of mediu m and high purity, and in air, It has been found that titanium berate (TiBO3) is formed in these processes. It has also been revealed that t he oxidation process starts below 400 degrees C and is reversible in t his low temperature range from 100 degrees to 400 degrees C.