Study of formation behavior of TiC ceramic obtained by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis from Al–Ti–C elemental powders

TiC particles were fabricated in situ by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis reaction with 0–40 mass% Al in the total Al–Ti–C elemental powder mixtures. The reaction behavior and formation path of TiC were investigated. Because of the non-steady-state oscillatory propagation of combustion wave front, the typical swelled and layered reaction products were observed. With Al contents increasing, the reaction temperatures decreased and the TiC particles sizes evidently reduced. Al played an important role in controlling the reaction behavior and the morphology of products, serving not only as a diluent to inhibit the TiC particles from growing, but also as an intermediate reactant to participate in the reaction process.