TEM characterization of dislocations in TiB2 particles after hypervelocity impact

•Two kinds of hexagonal dislocation networks in as-impacted TiB2 particles were identified.•Parallel sets of “a” type dislocations react with parallel sets of “b” type dislocations to form “c” type dislocations.•Dislocations reaction processes do not result in an energy reduction, and are called quasi-equilibrium configurations.

Characteristic of dislocations in TiB2 particles associated with hypervelocity impact craters in 65 vol.% TiB2/Al composite were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Two kinds of dislocation networks in as-impacted TiB2 particles were identified. One is hexagonal dislocation networks including 1/3〈1¯ 2 1¯ 0〉, 〈0 0 0 1〉, 1/3〈1¯ 2 1¯ 3〉 type dislocations on {0 0 0 1}, {1 0 1¯ 0}, and {1 2 3¯ 0} planes. Another one is the hexagonal dislocation networks including 1/3〈1 1 2¯ 0〉, 〈0 0 0 1〉, and 1/3〈112¯3〉 type dislocations on {0 0 0 1}, {1 0 1¯ 0}, and {1 1¯ 0 0} planes. Formation of dislocation network should be contributed to the parallel sets of “a” type dislocations (1/3〈1 1 2¯ 0〉 or 1/3〈1¯ 2 1¯ 0〉 type dislocations) reacting with parallel sets of “b” type dislocations (〈0 0 0 1〉 type dislocations) to form “c” type dislocations (1/3〈1 1 2¯ 3〉 or 1/3〈1¯ 2 1¯ 3〉 type dislocations). Moreover, dislocations reaction processes do not result in an energy reduction, and are called quasi-equilibrium configurations. Formation of dislocations may result from high temperature or pressure generated by hypervelocity impact. During the cooling from high temperature and unloading from high pressure, dislocations in TiB2 particles rearranged and transformed to dislocation networks to lower the defect energy.