A synthetic route for metal–ceramic interpenetrating phase composites

A novel synthetic route for metal–ceramic interpenetrating phase composites (IPCs) is proposed. The method excludes infiltration operations and eliminates the problem of closed pores and low wettability between ceramic and metal phase. We suggest using two-stage processing including preparation of composite powder precursors by reaction in a metal matrix and subsequent compaction of as-synthesized nanostructured powders. The appropriate choice of compaction technique allows obtaining dense nanostructured bulk IPCs. Bulk interpenetrating phase TiB2–Cu nanocomposites were fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) and shock wave compaction of powder precursors.