Evidence for stable stoichiometric Ti2C at the interface in TiC particulate reinforced Ti alloy composites

Abstract Ti–6%Al–4%V composites containing 20 vol.% TiC particles were sintered at temperatures between 1273 and 1773 K for holding times of up to 20 h. Neutron diffraction and low voltage field emission gun scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the development of the interfacial reaction region between the reinforcement and matrix. It has been observed that there is an interaction zone surrounding each particle caused by the diffusion of carbon from the reinforcement to the titanium alloy matrix. The extent of this reaction increases with increasing processing temperature and holding time. The single phase formed at the interfacial boundary between the particles and the matrix was determined from lattice parameter measurements to be stoichiometric Ti 2 C. The significance of these findings are discussed in terms of previous work on interfacial characterization of TiC particulate reinforced Ti–6%Al–4%V composites.