Study of formation behavior of TiC in the Fe–Ti–C system during combustion synthesis

TiC particles were prepared in situ by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) reaction in the Fe–Ti–C elemental powder mixture. The reaction behavior and formation route of synthesizing TiC in the Fe–Ti–C system were investigated. With Fe contents increasing, the adiabatic temperatures, reaction temperatures and TiC particles sizes obviously decreased. The addition of Fe promotes the reaction between Ti and C through a “bridging” effect. Fe plays an important role in controlling the reaction behavior and morphology of products, serving not only as a diluent to inhibit the TiC particles from growing, but also as an intermediate reactant to promote the reaction.

Graphical AbstractThe XRD analysis in different regions of the quenched sample reveals that the compositions changed gradually from the unreacted region to the reacted region. The reaction sequence of the Fe–Ti–C system during the SHS process could be described as: Fe + Ti + C → Fe + Fe2Ti + Ti + C → Fe + Fe2Ti + TiC+ Ti + C → Fe + TiC.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch Highlights
► TiC particles were prepared by SHS reaction in the Fe-Ti-C powder mixture.
► With Fe contents increasing, the adiabatic and reaction temperatures decreased.
► The addition of Fe promotes the reactions thanks to the formation of Fe-Ti liquid.
► The addition of Fe to Ti-C reactants inhibits the TiC particle from growing.