Study on the reaction behavior of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of TiC ceramic in the Cu–Ti–C system

The SHS reaction behavior of the Cu–Ti–C system with various Cu contents was investigated. The Cu addition not only serves as diluent and binder, but also plays an important role in the ignition behavior of the SHS reaction. With the increase of Cu content, the combustion temperature decreases greatly, the ignition time decreases remarkably first and increases. With the addition of 20 wt.% Cu, the system exhibits the shortest ignition time. The SHS reactions consist of two consecutive combustion stages with different brightness intensity. The two combustion stages mainly correspond to the formation of TixCuy compounds and TiC particulates, respectively. The products of the SHS reaction in the Cu–Ti–C system with various Cu contents (10–50 wt.%) consist of TiC and Cu without any intermediate phases. With the increase in the Cu reactant, the size of the TiC particulates decreases considerably.

► The SHS reaction behavior of the Cu–Ti–C system was investigated.
► The Cu addition plays an important role in the ignition behavior.
► The SHS reactions consist of two consecutive combustion stages.