Microstructure, mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of (Ti0.5Nb0.5)C-SiC composites

A series of (Ti0.5Nb0.5)C-x wt.% SiC (x = 0, 5, 10, 20) composites were prepared by spark plasma sintering. Dense microstructures with well-dispersed SiC particles were obtained for all composites. With the increment of SiC content, the Vickers hardness, Young's modulus and fracture toughness increase monotonically. An optimized flexural strength of 706 MPa was achieved in (Ti0.5Nb0.5)C-5 wt.%SiC composite. (Ti0.5Nb0.5)C-20 wt%SiC composite exhibits the highest fracture toughness of 6.8 MPa m(1/2). The crack deflections and the suppression of grain growth were the main strengthening and toughening mechanisms. Besides, (Ti0.5Nb0.5)C-20 wt%SiC composite exhibit the highest thermal conductivity of 45 W/m.K at 800 degrees C.