In situ TiBw/Ti–6Al–4V composites with novel reinforcement architecture fabricated by reaction hot pressing

TiB whisker (TiBw)/Ti–6Al–4V composite with a novel network distribution and branched morphology of TiBw was successfully fabricated by reaction hot pressing. TiBw are in situ synthesized around the boundaries of the Ti–6Al–4V particles, and subsequently formed into a TiBw network structure. In addition to plain TiBw, branched TiBw were also formed and this branched morphology is believed to be beneficial to load transfer in the composite. The prepared TiBw/Ti–6Al–4V composite exhibits a significantly higher tensile strength than that of the monolithic Ti–6Al–4V alloy.