MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CARBON FIBER REINFORCED-TiC MATRIX COMPOSITES

TiC matrix composites reinforced by 20% volume short carbon fiber are prepared by vacuum hot-pressing.The carbon fibers are uniformly distributed in TiC matrix using wet ball-milling mixing.The suitable hot-pressing technique for C f/TiC composites is vacuum hot pressing at 2100℃,30MPa for 1h.The strength of C f/TiC composite is 593MPa at room temperature and 439MPa at 1400℃,and the fracture toughness is 6.87MPa·m 1/2 at room temperature.The strength and fracture toughness of TiC can be increased remarkably by 20% volume carbon fiber addition.The main mechanisms of strengthening and toughening by carbons are fiber bridging and fiber pull-out.Crack deflection has also contribution to toughness.