The Effect of Temperature on Sintering Behavior of Fe-TiC Composite Prepared from Ilmenite by SPS Method

Metal composite reinforced with ceramic particles, due to the desired mechanical and physical properties, are widely used in various fields, including wear-resistant parts and cutting tools. In this study, Fe-TiC composite is made using ilmenite mineral and soot. In order to make the composite, the raw materials after homogenization and activation through mechanical alloying were synthesized and sintered simultaneously by spark plasma sintering. Samples were prepared at temperatures of 1250, 1300 and 1350°C, under pressure of 10 to 30 MPa for 30 to 120 minutes. X-ray diffraction analysis was used to identify phases. Measurements of crystalline size were performed using the Williamson-Hall and Scherrer methods. Morphology and microstructure of the samples were also examined by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the iron composite reinforced with carbide titanium particles was successfully produced and the synthesis mechanism was gradual and intrusive. Iron and titanium carbide grains have a uniform distribution throughout the sample, and despite the long synthesis time, the size of grain remain in the nanometric, which can lead to improved mechanical properties.