Fabrication of «TiC-HSS steel binder» composite powders by self-propagating high temperature synthesis

The phase composition, microstructure and morphology of composite powders «TiC-HSS steel binder» obtained by the SHS method in layerwise combustion mode have been studied. Titanium powder, carbon (carbon black) in a ratio corresponding to equiatomic titanium carbide and high speed steel as a thermally inert binder was used as a reaction mixture. It was found that the mass transfer of reaction mixture components between the carbide and metal binder was taking place during synthesis, as a result of which the final phase and elemental composition of the synthesis products was formed. It is shown that the volume content of thermally inert binder significantly affects the dispersion of the formed carbide phase.