Structural and microstructural effects produced by microwave sintering over La2O3 doped TiB2-Ni composites

In this paper, an agglomerated composite powder of titanium diboride-nickel (TiB2-Ni) was milled and spray-dried. The effects of the sintering method, sintering temperature, holding time, and La2O3-doped on the morphology, phase content and properties of the powder were investigated. The results showed that the microwave-sintered La2O3-doped powder had the best properties when sintered at 1273 K for 15 min. La doping reduced the oxygen content, inhibited the formation of the brittle Ni3B phase, and improved the mechanical properties of the powder. The powder may be a suitable raw material for thermally-sprayed TiB2-Ni coatings.