Effect of reactant Ti/B4C ratio on the stoichiometry and mechanical properties of h-BN–Ti(C,N) prepared by combustion synthesis

h-BN–Ti(C,N) ceramic composites were prepared by combustion synthesis from B4C–Ti powder compacts ignited under high gaseous nitrogen pressure. The influences of Ti/B4C ratio in reactant on the combustion temperature and velocity, phase composition and N content in Ti(C,N) phase were analyzed through theoretical and experimental studies. Experimental results show that combustion temperature and velocity increased with the increase of Ti/B4C ratio in reactant. TiN is the preferential formation phase under high nitrogen pressure, which resulted in higher N content in Ti(C,N) phase. Mechanical properties of the composites increased with the increase of Ti/B4C ratio because of higher Ti(C,N) content in products.