Study of structure formation in TiC–TiB2–MexOy ceramics fabricated by SHS and densification

Bulk ceramic materials based on TiC–TiB2–MexOy systems have been produced by means of pressure-assisted self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS). The selection of the SHS systems was based on thermodynamic analyses in order to obtain regimes of synthesis with formation of liquid phase allowing a proper densification. The liquid phase formed in the products consisted of either melted oxides or TiC–TiB2 eutectic depending on the combustion temperature. The mechanisms of structure formation and the effect of grain growth inhibition due to the metal oxide particles have been evaluated. The microstructural investigations have confirmed the role of the metal oxides as promoter of the final products densification and of the grain refinement in the SHS ceramic materials. A core–shell model is proposed to explain the structure formation of the SHS composites through a chemical interaction involving two stages. The good agreement between calculated and experimental results confirmed the validity of the core–shell mechanism.