Abstract
A sintered body of $TiB_2$-reinforced iron matrix composite ($Fe-TiB_2$) is fabricated by pressureless-sintering of a mixture of titanium hydride ($TiH_2$) and iron boride (FeB) powders. The powder mixture is prepared in a planetary ball-mill at 700 rpm for 3 h and then pressurelessly sintered at 1300, 1350 and $1400^{\circ}C$ for 0-2 h. The optimal sintering temperature for high densities (above 95% relative density) is between 1350 and $1400^{\circ}C$, where the holding time can be varied from 0.25 to 2 h. A maximum relative density of 96.0% is obtained from the ($FeB+TiH_2$) powder compacts sintered at $1400^{\circ}C$ for 2 h. Sintered compacts have two main phases of Fe and $TiB_2$ along with traces of TiB, which seems to be formed through the reaction of TiB2 formed at lower temperatures during the heating stage with the excess Ti that is intentionally added to complete the reaction for $TiB_2$ formation. Nearly fully densified sintered compacts show a homogeneous microstructure composed of fine $TiB_2$ particulates with submicron sizes and an Fe-matrix. A maximum hardness of 71.2 HRC is obtained from the specimen sintered at $1400^{\circ}C$ for 0.5 h, which is nearly equivalent to the HRC of conventional WC-Co hardmetals containing 20 wt% Co.
