B4C/TiB2 composite powders prepared by carbothermal reduction method

B4C-(10-20vol%)TiB2 composite powders have been synthesized with the temperature of 1650-1800 degrees C by carbothermal reduction process using boron acid, carbon black and TiO2 powder as the starting materials. B/C mole ratio of the starting materials is ascertained, thermodynamics temperature of the reactions is calculated and the effect of ball milling on the composite powders is discussed. The experimental results indicate that B/C mole ratio of the starting materials and composite powders are 4.4 and 3.98-4.03, respectively. The purity of the gained powders is more than 99 wt%. Wet ball milling eliminates the size of the B4C/TiB2 composite powders from 30-40 to 3-5 mu m by decreasing the conglomeration of the composite powders. XRD and EDS results show that the composite powders are composed of B4C and TiB2. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.