Mechanical properties and wear behavior of Ti3SiC2–TiB2 composites obtained by reaction spark plasma sintering

A Ti 3 SiC 2 – TiB 2 composite was synthesized by reactive spark plasma sintering (RSPS) using Ti, TiC, Si, and B powders as precursors. The effects of precursor milling time and sintering temperature on the phase composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties were investigated. Phase analysis was conducted using X-ray diffractometry combined with Rietveld refinement, while microstructural characterization was performed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The optimal sample, prepared with 1 hour of milling and sintered at 1200 °C, consisted of 66.48% Ti 3 SiC 2 , 29.96% TiB 2 , and 3.56% TiC. This specimen exhibited a density of 4.38 g/cm 3 , a flexural strength of 741.2 ± 17.2 MPa, a Vickers hardness of 10.74 GPa (under a 5 kg load), and a wear rate of 0.396 mm 3 /N·m. The results demonstrate that RSPS, combined with optimized processing parameters, enables the fabrication of Ti 3 SiC 2 –TiB 2 composites with controlled phase composition and enhanced mechanical performance, making them promising candidates for advanced structural applications.