Combustion synthesis of TiC–NiAl composite by induction heating

The aim of this work was to develop a new process for the synthesis of TiC and NiAl/TiC composite in which the combustion reaction was ignited using a high frequency induction heater. High density, two-layer TiC–NiAl composites were also produced using this process. Temperature profiles during synthesis were measured with an IR thermometer and a high resolution thermal image camera was used to monitor the reaction process. Phase transformation was investigated using XRD and SEM was used to characterize the microstructure of the synthesized composites. The mechanical properties of the products were evaluated by measuring hardness. The results show that the reaction was complete and that stoichiometric products of NiAl and TiC were produced. The properties of NiAl/TiC composites were found to be functions of composition and processing parameters. The reaction mechanism was analyzed using temperature monitoring, thermodynamic analysis and microstructure investigation.