Sintering properties of in situ Ti-TiB microlattices created by 3D extrusion printing of TiH₂+TiB₂ inks

Abstract

A direct 3D extrusion printing technique was used to produce Ti-TiB filaments and microlattices. The sintering properties of 3D ink extrusion and sintering of in situ Ti-TiB composite structures made from TiH₂+TiB₂ ink were investigated. The sintering kinetics of TiH₂+TiB₂ inks was studied during densification by pressureless sintering at 1050–1200 °C for 4–24 h in Ar. The linear shrinkage, grain size, microhardness, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, and microstructural evolution of the Ti-TiB composite were studied. The sintering temperature had a more pronounced influence than the sintering time on the density of the Ti-TiB composite. There were two kinds of pores, irregular and spherical, caused by the Kirkendall effect and indiffusable gases. The TiB formed by in situ synthesis existed as either separated TiB whiskers (needle-like shapes) or clusters of TiB whiskers. The results of this work could be useful for controlling microporosity through incomplete sintering within filaments, especially for the production of in situ Ti-TiB with high volume fractions of TiB or other composites.

Keywords

pressureless sintering / Ti-TiB composites / microporosity / 3D extrusion printing

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