Reactive synthesis of ceramic matrix composites under pressure

Near fully dense in situ ceramic matrix composites were fabricated from blends of fine Ti–B4C, Ti–BN, Ti–SiC, Ti–B6Si and Al–TiO2 powders without or with the addition of Ni. Two reactive synthesis techniques were employed: thermal explosion/TE (SHS) under pressure and reactive hot pressing/RHP. In both approaches, the processing or preheating temperature (⩽1100°C) was considerably lower than those typical of current methods used for processing of ceramic matrix composites. Partial to full conversion of reagents into products was achieved during TE, and a moderate external pressure of 150 MPa was sufficient to ensure full density of the final products. RHP processing yielded dense materials with finer microstructures, however full conversion of reagents into products was not achieved.