In Situ Titanium Composites: XRD Study of Secondary Phases Tied to the Processing Conditions and Starting Materials

Abstract

Nowadays, the development of high specific modulus materials involves studies of new materials and novel manufacturing routes. From the point of view of composite materials, titanium composites (TMCs) have been long studied for their interesting properties, as a result of the conjunction of low-density and high mechanical properties, as well as corrosion resistance. Among various processing techniques, the in situ reinforced method shows many advantages above the rest. The reactions between matrix and reinforcement drive up the final properties of TMCs. Varying the processing conditions, in addition to reinforcement type and content, significant variations are expected in TMCs’ behaviour. In this regard, the present study draws on previous author works. The specimens studied were manufactured by hot consolidation processes, inductive hot pressing (iHP) and direct hot pressing (DHP), at different operational parameters and compositions. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) investigations tied formations of secondary phases to substantive changes in TMC behaviour under the influence of the fabrication parameters.