Effect of compact density and preheating temperature of the Al-Ti-C Preform on the fabrication of in-situ Mg–TiC composites

Magnesium reinforced in-situ TiC particulates was successfully synthesized utilizing the self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) process .The result showed that preform temperature and compact density have a significant effect on the SHS reaction. When the compact density was 68 % of the theoretical density, no SHS reaction was observed. However, with an increase in density from 68 to 72 %, the successful thermal explosion reaction was observed in the Mg- melt. Besides, the effect of pre-heat temperature on the fabrication of Mg/TiC composite was extensively studied and it was found that the preheat temperature of 300 0C failed to give rise to SHS reaction. However, the increased pre-heat temperature of 450, 500 and 550 0C favors the reaction inside the liquid melt, but when the temperature is 600 0C, the ignition reaction occurred in the preheating furnace itself.