Study on the evolution processes from TiCx to TiB2 induced by B in Al melt

The structural evolution from TiCx to TiB2 induced by the B element in the aluminum melt has been investigated and the possible evolution mechanism has been revealed. Based on the FESEM observations, it is found that the evolution takes place in three steps, i.e. the delamination of TiCx, in situ crystallization of TiB2 on the TiCx nanolamellas, the orientated attachment and Ostwald ripening during the TiB2 growing process.