Shape-Controlled TiCx Particles Fabricated by Combustion Synthesis in the Cu-Ti-C System

TiCx particle-reinforced Cu-matrix composites were prepared in the Cu-Ti-C system by thermal explosion and hot press. Extracted TiCx particles with various shapes of in situ TiCx particles in the Cu-Ti-C system were observed through the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). It was found that octahedral and close-to-spherical, spherical or cubic TiCx could be fabricated by changing the C/Ti molar ratio and Cu content. Then, the effect of the C/Ti molar ratio and constituent element concentrations on the shape of in situ TiCx particles was determined: the shape of TiCx particles is octahedral at a C/Ti ratio of 0.4–0.6 with the presence of 70 vol% Cu; or spherical and close-to-spherical at 0.8–1.0 with the presence of 70 vol% Cu; or cubic at C/Ti ratios ≥1.0 with the presence of Cu from 80 vol%–90 vol% and even at C/Ti ratios >1.0 with the presence of 70 vol% Cu. The shape-controlled synthesis of TiCx particles in the Cu-Ti-C system is realized.