Rapid prototyping and combustion synthesis of TiC/Ni functionally gradient materials

TiC–Ni functionally gradient materials (FGM) parts were fabricated by laminated object manufacturing (LOM), one of rapid prototyping (RP) techniques and combustion synthesis technique. The microstructure and phases of TiC–Ni FGM were analyzed with SEM and XRD. TiC–Ni FGM had anisotropic mechanical properties. It was stronger in the direction parallel to the thickness than in the direction perpendicular to the thickness. The maximum strength was 950 MPa in the TiC–20wt.%Ni region. The hardness of TiC–Ni FGM was larger than HRA 84 and the density was larger than 5.2 g cm−3. When the content of Ni raised the density increased, then there was the largest relative density in the TiC–20wt.%Ni region.