Towards High-Performance Titanium Matrix Composites by Tailoring Morphology and Spatial Distribution of Reinforcements Using Carbon-Coated Titanium Powder

The morphology and distribution characteristics of reinforcements in titanium matrix composites (TMCs) play a crucial role in determining their final performance. To address the issues of uncontrollable morphology and inhomogeneous distribution of reinforcements, a series of core-shell-structured C-coated Ti powders were developed using a fluidized bed powder-coating approach. This technique maintains the inherent structural nature of C-coatings, enabling reinforcements to be tailored by creating various reaction paths, including in-situ retention of C sources, Ti-C interfacial reaction, and dissolution-precipitation reactions. Intragranular and interfacial reinforcements with distinct morphologies were synthesized by combining different C sources with suitable powder-forming strategies. This study briefly summarizes our recently experimental findings and achievements in preparing TMCs strengthened by various reinforcements, and elaborates the influence of morphology and spatial distribution on the strengthening efficiency of reinforcements. These fundamental outcomes are anticipated to provide insights into fabricating high-performance TMCs by tailoring reinforcements based on basic powder materials.