Microstructural and mechanical characterisation of a Ti6Al4V/TiC/10p composite processed by the BE-CHIP method

Room and high temperature behaviour as well as the microstructural characteristics of a Ti6Al4V/TiC/10p composite produced by the blended-elemental cold and hot isostatic pressing method (BE-CHIP) were investigated. It was shown that the damage mechanisms of both tensile and fracture toughness specimens of the composite material were strongly influenced by the poor distribution of the reinforcement (particle clustering and large particulate size). The composite fracture surfaces were investigated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an optical microscope (OM) showing that the failure of the composite was controlled by fracture of the reinforcement followed by ductile failure of the titanium matrix.