Abstract
Addition of various reinforcements was studied in an attempt to produce a TiC–Al
2
O
3
composite with high density, homogeneous microstructure, and outstanding mechanical properties for use in aggressive media using self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS). Ductile Ni-metal powder (5 – 20 wt.%) and Al
2
O
3
and ZrO
2
(1 mole fraction) dilutions with and without Ni addition were introduced into TiC–Al
2
O
3
composite synthesized by combined SHS and direct consolidation (DC). The influence of the Ni content and dilution with Al
2
O
3
and ZrO
2
on the phase composition, densification behavior, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the synthesized TiC–Al
2
O
3
composite was investigated. The best results were obtained by adding Ni(5 wt.%) to the TiC–Al
2
O
3
composite. However, the chemical reactions between the starting precursors were disturbed and the composite characteristics worsened if the Ni content was increased to >5 wt.%. Accordingly, addition of 5 wt.% Ni was suggested to produce a highly dense TiC–Al
2
O
3
composite with a homogenized morphology and unparalleled mechanical properties. Moreover, the produced composites could be used successfully in aggressive media and tribological applications.