Pressure-assisted SHS synthesis of MgAl2O4–TiAl in situ composites with interpenetrating networks Original Research Article

Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) of compacted 2TiO2–Mg–4Al powder blends was used to fabricate in situ magnesium aluminate spinel–TiAl/Ti3Al interpenetrating phase composites. The combustion wave propagation and thermal explosion modes of SHS, as well as thermal explosion under uniaxial pressure (reactive forging) were investigated, with the samples’ temperature closely monitored in the course of processing. SHS in 2TiO2–Mg–4Al blend was found to proceed in two stages, the leading reaction being the reaction between Mg and TiO2 with the formation of MgTiO3. Wave-like propagation of both leading and lagging reactions was observed during thermal explosion. The application of a moderate 60–80 MPa pressure during reactive forging at 800–900 °C yielded near fully dense (up to 98% of the theoretical density) MgAl2O4 spinel–TiAl/Ti3Al composites with fine micrometer/submicrometer scale interpenetrating ceramic and intermetallic networks. The aluminide component had a very fine γ+α2 lamellar structure that should beneficially affect the toughness of the material synthesized.