Mechanically Activated Combustion Synthesis of B4C-TiB2 Nanocomposite Powder

Boron carbide is one of the hardest materials. The combustion method was used to synthesize B4C-TiB2 nanocomposite powder in a B2O3-Mg-TiO2-C system. An experimental study of the formation of B4C–TiB2 nanoparticles was conducted in the thermal explosion mode. A mixture of B2O3:TiO2:Mg:C at a molecular ratio of 3:1:12:1 was chosen to obtain the B4C–TiB2. This powder mixture was milled for different times. The combustion reaction of powders milled for up to 12 h was done in an inert atmosphere at 900°C. The synthesized powders were characterized by X-Ray diffraction, Scanning and Transmission Electeron Microscopies (SEM and TEM). It was demonstrated that mechanical activation is a useful method for obtaining B4C and TiB2 powders simultaneously; without milling, the B4C composition did not form. B4C formed after 3 h of milling of the reactants. Crystallite size of products obtained from reactant powders milled for 6 and 12 hour was less than 100 nanometer.