TiC functionally graded materials obtained with powder metallurgy technology

The paper has as main topics improvement of the classic technology for functionally graded materials fabrication using new concept regarding cermets fabrication using powder metallurgy technology and infiltration with molten alloys. This new concept are based on the possibility to tailor the final properties in two steps: one using diffusion during sintering process, allowed because the powders contain both nonstoichiometric and stoichiometric composition, and other, using a second controlled diffusion allowed by the infiltrated alloy and thermodynamics between cermets and alloy. This new concept was experimented and confirmed in the frame of one PhD thesis in Transilvania University of Brasov. At the end of the fabrication cycle will be tailored new composite material with high hardness on one surface followed by graded mechanical properties on cross-section up to high toughness on the opposite surface. These tailored properties will ensure, as expected results, high resistance at bullet shock on the one hand, and high capacity of absorption of the energy of shock on the other hand when the research are oriented on the bullet-waistcoat fabrication. in fact the new material have the quality to be extended at other several applications both for military production and for civilian ones.