PREPARATION AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF AL2O3-TIC COMPOSITES BY SELF-PROPAGATED HIGH-TEMPERATURE SYNTHESIS

This investigation was concerned with the production of ceramic compos ites based on Al2O3-TiC by means of self-propagated high temperature s ynthesis. When titanium and carbon black mixed with Al2O3 powder react ed, the ignition and adiabatic temperature showed a dependence on the reactant mixture composition and the amount of precompaction. The effe cts of these parameters on the product morphology are presented. Condi tions under which the reaction ceased to self-propagate are also ident ified. The reaction mechanism for the reaction between TiO2, Al and ca rbon black is also discussed. The microstructures of the products from the two reactions are compared.