Dependence of the SHS reaction behavior and product on B4C particle size in Al–Ti–B4C and Al–TiO2–B4C systems

Abstract Dependence of the combustion reaction behavior and product on the B 4 C particle size in the Al–Ti–B 4 C and Al–TiO 2 –B 4 C systems was investigated. The results show that in both systems, the SHS reaction kinetics is primarily controlled by diffusion. Increasing the B 4 C particle size not only makes the ignition and self-sustainment of the SHS reaction difficult but also decreases the wave velocity and the degree of conversion. In comparison, the dependence of the SHS reaction behavior and the resultant product on the B 4 C particle size is much more significant in the Al–Ti–B 4 C system than that in the Al–TiO 2 –B 4 C system. The reason for the different dependence behaviors was investigated based on the SHS reaction mechanisms.