Effect of starting material character and its sintering temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of super hard Ti/TiB metal matrix composites

•Realized research shows that the size of grains of starting material may influence available energy for phase transformation or base substrate reaction in traditional powder metallurgical approach.•Detailed investigations shows that starting precursor grain size determines obtained microstructure its homogeneity, porosity level and final properties that result from above.•Obtained from realized research conclusions in the examined Ti/TiB structure for the applied different heat treatment regimes in traditional powder metallurgical approach, could be directly transferred to whole family of metal matrix composite materials with broader technological and economically profitable look especially into the more sophisticated methods like SHS or SPS.

Different concepts and processing paths were investigated to minimize large scale production costs occurring for new growing interest group of in situ metal matrix composite (MMC) materials. High inputs dependently directly from a composition and disability to fabricate near net shape part elements result mainly from a few step procedures connected often with increasing machining costs. Nevertheless different compositions of MMC materials followed by the same broad spectrum of properties show enormous potential perspectives for diverse range of application. Present in realized research comparison of starting material character and adopt heat treatment temperatures evidence microstructure and mechanical properties. Starting precursor grain size scale influence available energy for phase transformation or base substrate reaction, furthermore it determines obtained in realized processes MMC microstructure its homogeneity, porosity level and final properties that result from above. Obtained from realized research conclusions in the examined case could be directly transferred to whole family of MMC materials.