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Abstract: The dense TiC–TiB2/Ni composite was successfully fabricated via a simple route where the pressure assisted self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) was directly ignited at 625°C with the incorporation of air. The ignition temperature in air was much lower than that in vacuum (1040°C). The composites made in air possessed the similar phase constituents and microstructure as well as comparable mechanical properties to those made in vacuum. The ignition temperature both in air and vacuum showed a significant dependence on Ni content and reactant particle size while the reaction products only showed a dependence on Ni content and B4C particle size, irrespective of Ti particle size. The density of the composite made in air and vacuum only depended on Ni content while the mechanical properties of the composites made in air and vacuum both showed a similar dependence on the Ni content and reactant particle size. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Magnesium metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with various fractions of 10, 15 and 20 vol.% B4C particulates fabricated by powder metallurgy (P/M) technique were investigated. Microstructure characterization of the composites revealed necklace distribution of B4C particulates in the matrix material and the presence of minimal micro-porosity. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed the formation of MgO and MgB2 in B4C/Mg composites. Moreover, the results revealed that the hardness and wear resistance of the composites were higher than those of as-cast Mg ingot and increased with increasing amount of B4C particulates from 10 to 20 vol.%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Magnesium metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with 10, 20 and 30 vol.% TiB2 particulates, respectively, were fabricated by powder metallurgy. The microstructure, porosity, hardness and abrasive wear behavior of the composites were evaluated. Microstructural characterization of Mg MMCs showed generally uniform reinforcement distribution. As compared with pure Mg, the hardness (HB) values of Mg MMCs reinforced with 10, 20 and 30 vol.% TiB2 particulates were increased by 41%, 106% and 181%, respectively. The abrasive wear tests showed that the wear resistance of Mg MMCs is increased with the increasing of the reinforcement volume fraction. This was due to the strong particulate-matrix bonding and high hardness of the TiB2 particulate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Partial remelting behaviors of Mg–11Al–0.5Zn alloy and TiB2/Mg–11Al–0.5Zn composite are investigated by the isothermal holding at the temperatures of 510 and 545 °C. The result shows that, although, the TiB2 addition has no influence on the remelting characteristics of eutectic and liquidus temperatures of the composite, it has a great effect on the remaining liquid located at the grain boundary. With a processing temperature of 545 °C, the remaining liquid is dramatically decreased in the composite, compared with that in the unreinforced matrix alloy. Furthermore, the solid α-Mg grain size in the composite does not significantly reduce compared with that in the matrix alloy; however, the microhardness of the α-Mg grain is increased in the partial remelting microstructure in the composite. Although most of the TiB2 particulates are present in the remaining liquid phases distributed at the grain boundaries, some liquid islands are entrapped inside α-Mg grains. As a consequence, the TiB2 particulates can eventually reside within the grains after complete solidification. However, it is difficult that TiB2 particulate is directly incorporated (engulfed) into the Mg–11Al–0.5Zn matrix alloy during the regular solidification process. Furthermore, the DTA, SEM and XRD results reveal that no reaction occurs between the TiB2 particulate and matrix alloy during the partial remelting process, which indicates that TiB2 particulate is thermodynamically stable at the Mg–11Al–0.5Zn matrix alloy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A TiB2 particulate reinforced magnesium matrix composite (MMCs) was fabricated by adding a TiB2–Al master alloy processed via self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) reaction in Al–Ti–B system into molten magnesium and using the stir casting technique. The results showed that the TiB2–Al master alloy and TiB2/Mg composite contained a certain amount of transient TiAl3 phase. When the Al–Ti–B system was incorporated with an appropriate C, TiB2 and TiC reinforcing phases were simultaneously synthesized and the TiAl3 phase was almost completely eliminated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Magnesium reinforced by in situ particulates was synthesized utilizing the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) reaction of Al–Ti–C preforms in molten magnesium. The result showed that the preform preheat temperature has a great effect on the SHS reaction. For a preheat temperature of 450 °C, in situ TiC/Mg composite was fabricated successfully. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Magnesium reinforced by in situ particulates was successfully synthesized utilizing the thermal explosion synthesis reaction of Mg–Al–Ti–C system preforms in molten magnesium. The results show that aluminum content of preforms has a great effect on the reaction and as long as it is chosen adequately, tailored TiCp/Mg composites can be fabricated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The synthesis of in situ formed TiB2/Mg composite utilizing the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) reaction that occurred between the molten magnesium and green preforms consisting of Al, Ti and B powders was investigated. The result shows that it is feasible that the smelting temperature of the magnesium matrix alloy is selected at 860 °C, which is slightly higher than the exothermic reaction temperature of 852 °C on the DTA curve, prepared for the SHS reaction in the Al–Ti–B system. An as-cast microstructure of the composite reveals a relatively uniform distribution of TiB2 particulates with hexagonal or rectangular size of ∼2.0 μm. Furthermore, an analysis of the powders extracted from the TiB2/Mg composite confirms that a small amount of blocky TiAl3 phase is also present in the composite. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effect of Al content on the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) reaction of the Al–Ti–C preform in molten magnesium was investigated. As the Al content in the preforms was increased over the range of 20–40 wt.%, the TiC particulate sizes decreased from ∼5.0 to ∼1.0 μm. Microstructural characterization of the TiC/Mg (AZ91D) composite showed relatively uniform distribution of TiC particulates in the matrix material and the presence of minimal micro-porosity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The TiB2 particulate reinforced magnesium matrix composites (MMCs) were fabricated by adding a TiB2–Al master alloy processed via self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) reaction of Al–Ti–B systems with the different molar ratio of Ti to B (n Ti:n B =1:2 and n Ti:n B =1:2.5, respectively) to molten magnesium and using the semisolid slurry stirring technique. When the molar ratio of Ti to B is 1:2 in TiB2–Al master alloy, the TiB2–Al master alloy and TiB2p/AZ91 composites contained a certain amount of transient TiAl3 phase; however, when the molar ratio of Ti to B is 1:2.5, the TiAl3 phase was almost completely eliminated and the distribution of TiB2 particulates generally appeared to be more homogeneous throughout the magnesium matrix. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]