Microstructural analysis on Ti-6Al-4V and 10 vol.% (TiB+TiC)/Ti-6Al-4V metal matrix composites

Particulate reinforced Ti based metal matrix composites (MMCs) were made by in-situ synthesis using vacuum arc re-melting process. The microstructure of the Ti-6Al-4V base alloy and 10 vol.% (TiB+TiC)/Ti-6Al-4V metal matrix composites was examined. The particulate reinforcements were analysed and identified TiB and TiC particles. The particle distribution was analysed using the quadrat method over 1620 quadrats. A homogeneous particle distribution was found to establish in the composites. The experimental distribution of the reinforcements agreed well with the theoretical Poisson distribution. A skew factor, which characterizes the degree of asymmetry of a statistical distribution, of 1.108 was determined for the particle distribution in the material.