Reaction synthesis/dynamic compaction of titanium diboride

A new method for producing dense compacts of titanium diboride is described. This approach combines reaction synthesis with a high velocity forging step (5 to 15 m/s impact velocity) to achieve densification and near-net shape. By combining synthesis and densification, titanium diboride disks with over 96 pct of the theoretical density were produced. The highly exothermic (279.6 to 324.0 kJ/mol) synthesis reaction between titanium and boron produces temperatures of approximately 3000 K, at which the material is ductile and forgeable in a high-speed machine. The mechanical properties (quasi-static and dynamic) of reaction-synthesized/dynamically compacted titanium diboride are determined and compared with that of conventionally hot-pressed material.