Brittle-to-ductile transition in a Ti-TiB metal-matrix composite

A Ti-10 wt%TiB metal-matrix composite (MMC) was produced by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at temperatures of 850 or 1000 °C corresponding to the α or the β phase fields of Ti, respectively. In the interval 400-700 °C the MMC produced at 1000 °C showed higher strength and lower ductility in comparison with the MMC produced at 850 °C. The results of the mechanical tests and the fracture surface analysis suggested higher brittle-to-ductile transition temperature of the specimens obtained at 1000°. This phenomenon can be ascribed to different structures of Ti/TiB interfaces formed during SPS above and below the α↔β transition.