Fabrication of TiC/Cu composites by combustion synthesis in Cu-Ti-C system

Copper matrix composites reinforced with TiC particles which were formed in situ by a combustion reaction between titanium and carbon were fabricated from a powder mixture of Cu, Ti and C. The effects of igniting method, preh eating, and composition on the combustion reaction for the Cu-Ti-C system w ere investigated. The copper matrix composites including 20 to 80 vol%TiC c ould be fabricated by heating directly using the heater. The use of an igni tor is not useful for self-propagating combustion reaction, but preheating can help the self-propagation, When the mole ratio of Ti to C was 1 : 1, re sidual graphite was observed in the synthesized composites as well as coppe r matrix and TiC reinforcements. However, hardly any graphite remained in t he composite in which the mole ratio was 1 : 0.75. The combustion reaction between Ti and C in the Cu-Ti-C system initiated near the melting point of pure copper, suggesting that the reaction is initiated by the formation of liquid copper.