In Situ Synthesis of Titanium Carbide in Pure Aluminium

Abstract

The present work reports on the mechanism of formation of TiC in pure Aluminium melt. A halide salt of Al3TiF6, graphite powder and pure Al were used to prepare in situ Al-TiC Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) were used to determine the microstructural characteristics of the composite. XRD was further used to determine the phases involved in the composite for confirming the formation of TiC. Further to assess the mechanism involved in the in situ reactions, DTA/TGA thermograms were used to analyze the reactions between molten Al, halide salt and graphite powder. Tensile tests were conducted to study the fracture behavior of the in situ prepared MMCs.