Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis of Dense TiC-TiB2-MeO Ceramics

The aim of this work is the preparation and study of the mechanisms of structure formation of dense ceramics based on the TiC–TiB2–MeO system obtained by pressure–assisted Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis. SHS systems were selected on the basis of thermodynamic analysis as suitable to realise regimes of synthesis with formation of liquid phase allowing a full densification. It was observed that at the adiabatic temperature the liquid phase formed in the SHS products consists of either melted oxides or eutectic TiC–TiB2. The results of microstructural observations and mechanical characterization confirm that the metal oxides effectively promote the densification of the final products and the grain refinement of the SHSproduced ceramic materials.