Abstract
The densification behaviour, microstructural changes and hardness characteristics
during spark plasma sintering of CP-Ti reinforced with TiC, TiN, TiCN and TiB2 were
investigated. Commercially pure Ti powders were dry mixed with varied amounts (2.5
and 5 wt. %) of the ceramic additives using a T2F Turbula mixer for 5 h and at a speed
of 49 rpm. The blended composite powders were then sintered using spark plasma
sintering system (model HHPD-25 from FCT Germany) at a heating rate of 100oC
min-1, dwell time of 5 min and sintering temperature of 950ºC. The sintering of CP-Ti
was used as a base study to select the proper spark plasma sintering temperature for
full density. Densification was monitored through analysis of the recorded punch
displacement and the measured density of the sintered samples using Archimedes
method. High densities ranging from 97.8% for 5% TiB2 addition to 99.6% for 5%
TiCN addition were achieved at a relatively low temperature of 950°C...