Homogeneous TiB2 Ceramics Achieved by Electric Current-Assisted Self-Propagating Reaction Sintering.

Using spark plasma sintering techniques, homogeneous microstructures of titanium diboride (TiB2) ceramics were obtained by sintering of boron and titanium powder mixtures. The results show that an additional electric current is essential for achieving a large number of evenly distributed ignition points that ensure that the self-propagating reaction simultaneously takes place within the entire volume. The effects of the electric current, the use of Mg additions, and the heating rates on the resulting TiB2 ceramic densities and microstructures are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]