Abstract
TiC ceramic particulate-reinforced titanium matrix composites were fabricated and the resultant densification, microstructure, and static and dynamic mechanical properties were studied. Comparing Ti with TiH₂powders as host materials for TiC ceramic reinforcement by pressureless vacuum sintering, TiH₂-started composites showed better sinterability and resistance to both elastic and plastic deformation than Ti-started ones. When TiH₂and TiH₂-45 vol.%TiC samples were hot pressed, TiH₂matrices transformed to alpha prime Ti and alpha Ti phase, respectively. It is interpreted that the diffusion of an alpha stabilizer carbon from TiC into the matrix is one of the plausible reasons far such a microstructural difference. The 0.2% offset yield strengths of the hot pressed TiH₂and TiH₂-45 vol.%TiC samples were 1008 and 1446 MPa, respectively, in a static compressive mode (strain rate of 1×$10^{-3}$/s). Dynamic compressive strengths of the samples were 1600 and 2060 MPa, respectively, at a strain rate of 4×10³/s.