Ceramic Matrix Composites Obtained by the Reactive Sintering of Boron Carbide with Intermetallic Compounds from the Ti-Si System.

In this study, we investigated the effect of adding two different intermetallics, Ti 5 Si 3 and TiSi 2 , for the preparation of TiB 2 -SiC-B 4 C composites. As part of the research, stoichiometric composites consisting only of two phases TiB 2 and SiC were obtained. The TiB 2 -SiC-B 4 C composites were prepared via pressureless sintering. The presence of the phases in the sintered composites was confirmed using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The SEM-EDS examination revealed that the TiB 2 and SiC phases were formed during the composite process synthesis and were distributed homogeneously in the B 4 C matrix. The obtained results allowed us to usually exceed 2000 °C and the use of specialized equipment for firing, that is, vacuum or protective atmosphere furnaces as well as control and measurement equipment. Such an approach generates high costs that are decisive for the economics of the technological processes. In the case of our compositions, it is possible to lower the temperature to 1650 °C. The TiB 2 -SiC-B 4 C composites were classified as UHTCs.