Synthesis of TiC-Al2O3 composites using microwave-induced self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS)

The effect of sample preparation and processing parameters on the synthesis of TiC-Al2O3 composites using conventional heating is determined. Microwave processing and self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) have been found to reinforce each other in the fabrication of composites due to the uniformity of microwave energy absorbed and the highly exothermic reaction. The presence of TiC and Al2O3 as well as intermediate species were observed at shorter heating times. Longer heating times produced more complete conversion to products. A laminar structure in an oscillatory mode with interval of 290 μm and whisker were observed in microwave heating and conventional heating, but not in microwave hybrid heating processed samples.