H. Izui, Nihon University, Chiba, Japan
TiB whisker reinforced β21S titanium matrix composites have been fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The microstructure and morphology of the in-situ TiB whiskers in the matrix was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mechanical properties, such as elevated-temperature tensile strengths and Young's modulus, were investigated. When the composites (TiB/β21S) were sintered at 1000 ºC with a pressure of 60 MPa for 30 min, most of TiB2 was transformed into TiB whiskers in the matrix. The composites sintered at 900ºC with a pressure of 60 MPa for 30 min had the highest tensile strength at room temperature. The tensile strength of the composites sintered by SPS is higher than those produced by vacuum arc melting. The elastic modulus of the composites increased proportionally with the TiB volume fraction. The composites show the same or higher strength of β21S sintered by SPS at less than 600 ºC.
Summary: TiB whisker reinforced beta21 titanium matrix composites have been fabricated by spark plasma sintering(SPS). The microstructure, and mechanical porperties of the composites by SPS were investigated.
