Colloidal processing of titanium diboride/alumina

TiB2/Al2O3 powders produced using self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) have been densified using hot pressing and dynamic consolidation techniques, but the microstructure and phase distribution have been inconsistent. Since the SHS powders are available commercially, it's possible to also improve green body formation by controlling interparticle potentials during processing. The interactions between TiB 2 and Al2O3 have been analyzed with respect to their colloidal properties, as measured by their respective zeta potentials, density, volume fraction, and particle size. The colloidal properties and the resulting microstructure of sintered SHS {lcub}TiB2/Al2O 3{rcub}, with SHS TiB2 in two different aluminas, have been compared. The coagulation behavior of SHS {lcub}TiB2/Al2O3{rcub} powders was insensitive to colloidal processing, and no matter the processing condition, the microstructure associated with resistance to ballistic penetration was present. The coagulation behavior of the SHS TiB2 in two different aluminas was sensitive to colloidal processing, and the SHS TiB2 in the Alcoa SG Al2O3 processed at pH 7 showed potential to produce the microstructure associated with resistance to ballistic penetration.