Dynamic Consolidation of Combustion‐Synthesized Alumina‐Titanium Diboride Composite Ceramics

Abstract

A mixture of TiO 2 , B2O 3 , and Al powders was reacted exo‐thermically to form a low‐density Al 2 O 3 –TiB 2 foamed product. After the cessation of the combustion synthesis reaction, this hot foam was densified by the pressure waves generated by the detonation of an explosive charge. The delay time between the initiation of the combustion synthesis and detonation of the explosive, the thickness of the explosive charge, and the strength of sample confinement were found to influence the effectiveness of the consolidation. Analysis of the combustion synthesis reaction temperature histories and microscopy of the reacted product sponge are used to develop additional information about this reaction/consolidation process. These results, and the microstructural properties of the combustion‐synthesized and dynamically consolidated products, are discussed.