MICROSTRUCTURE OF TIB WHISKER-REINFORCED TI MATRIX COMPOSITE

The composite of Ti matrix with TiB whisker reinforcement has been suc cessfully fabricated. The content of TiB whisker in Ti matrix can reac h about 30 vol. pet. Metallographic examination, morphology and micros tructure of TiB whisker, interface structure between TiB whisker and T i matrix were investigated using optical microscope, SEM, TEM and HREM technology. The diameter distribution of TiB whisker is from 0.1 mu m to 3.5 mu m and the aspect ratio of TiB whisker is from 10 to 20. The cross-section of whisker is generally polygon. Because of good compat ibility between TiB whisker and Ti matrix it is identified that there is no obvious interaction of Ti matrix with TiB reinforcement and TiB whisker reinforced Ti matrix composites have excellent elevated proper ties.