In situ formation of ceramic micro reinforcement in Ti-based composites

The development of metal matrix composites using ceramic particles at the micro and nano range is finding widespread interest in the scientific community. However the use of preceramic polymers as precursors for the dispersion at the micro and nano level of the ceramic reinforcement has not been deeply investigated so far. Preceramic polymers are a specific class of polymers (polysiloxanes) widely used in the production of advanced ceramics. They give, upon pyrolisis run under inert or reducing atmosphere, SiOC, SiCN or SiC compositions, depending on the polymer composition. Only few exemples in the literature show the use of preceramic polymers as precursors for ceramic reinforcing particles dispersed within a metallic matrix. In the present work, Ti6Al4V micropowders were mixed at different conditions with 20 vol.% of polymers and the effect of processing parameters on the properties of the material were investigated. Properties such as hardness, wear resistance and Young modulus were related to the morphology and composition of the novel composite material produced and compared to standard Ti6Al4V cast alloy.