TiB2 composites fabricated by spark plasma sintering at low temperature

TiB2 composites with 30 wt.% TiC and 10 wt.% Ti, TiB2 composites with only 30 wt.% TiC, and bulk TiB2 without any additives were fabricated using the spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique at a temperature of 1500°C, respectively. In addition, bulk TiB2 ceramic was also fabricated at 1800°C. The differences in densification and mechanical properties between TiB2 composites and bulk TiB2 ceramics were systematically investigated. The addition of TiC and Ti reduced the densification temperature from above 1800 to 1500°C. Compared with the bulk TiB2 ceramic (with a density of 4.38 g/cm3) sintered at 1800°C, the TiB2 composites exhibited enhanced sinterability, decreased grain size, increased strength and toughness, and slightly lower hardness.