OPTIMIZING THE TECHNOLOGY FOR MAKING TIB2-TIC MATERIALS

Research has been done on the reduction of a combined charge containin g titanium dioxide, boron carbide, and carbon black at 1333-2000 degre es C for various rimes. Semifinished products reduced for not more tha n 30 min do not sinter and do not require grinding, but can be sintere d with the formation of a material in the TiB2-TiC system. The grindin g rate for incompletely reduced products increases as the reduction te mperature is reduced. Mixtures containing 64 mass% TiB2 and 36 mass% T iC formed by reducing the combined charge are ground more rapidly and with less contamination by iron than a control mixture of 80 mass% TiB 2 and 20 mass% TiC formed from the powders. it is concluded that it is best to prepare the final TiB2 - TiC mixture by reducing a combined c harge, which reduces the costs in preparing the mixtures before sinter ing.