Application of titanium to self-propagating high-temperature synthesis

An overview of the application of various kinds of titanium to self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) is presented. Kinds of Ti include powders of various origins, sponge, dioxide (rutile concentrate and pigment powder), and scrap (namely, chips and scale). Using the combustion of solid-solid and solid-gas systems (titanium-carbon and titanium-nitrogen) as an example, the influence of general titanium characteristics on the properties of the final SHS product is shown. The principles are substantiated for selecting titanium for SHS which are defined by the following factors: chemical and granulometric compositions, the morphology of the particle surface, fire-and-explosion safety, and the cost and availability of one or another kind of titanium. SHS-based methods for the production of Ti powder, namely, the magnesiothermic reduction of dioxide with the subsequent acid enrichment and SHS hydrogenation of the sponge with the following dehydrogenation, are briefly considered. A short list of areas for the use of some titanium-based SHS products is given.