Fabrication and characterization of sintered TiC-SiC composites

Some TiC-SiC composites with different SiC volume contents (0, 10, 25 and 50%) are prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The relationship between density, grain growth. and temperature is studied in order to fabricate dense and nano-sized TiC-SiC composites. A sintering by SPS at 1800 degrees C during 5 min allowed to form TiC-SiC composites with relative density above 95% and an homogeneous distribution of TiC (grain size from 270 to 900 mu m) and nano-sized SiC. With the increasing of SIC volume contents, Vickers hardness and fracture toughness are improved; thermal conductivity at room temperature is increased whereas at high temperature it is reduced. In future studies, those materials will be irradiated to characterize monolithic TiC and TiC-SiC composites behaviour under irradiation. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.