Titanium diboride was synthesized by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis method. Synthesis was carried out in a glove box under Ar atmosphere.
The effect of synthesis variables such as compact density, titanium diboride diluent amount initial titanium particle size, and boron content on the reactivity of the mixtures of titanium and boron was investigated.
As compact density increased from 40% to 50%, the reactivity of titanium diboride increased. As initial titanium particle size decreased from -100mesh to -325mesh, the reactivity of titanium diboride increased. However, the reactivity of titanium diboride was little changed by the addition of titanium diboride diluent.
Amorphous boron having smaller particle size than that of crystalline boron as well as excess amount of crystalline boron increased the reactivity of titanium diboride. As compact density increased from 40% to 50%, grain size of titanium diboride decreased. As initial titanium particle size decreased from -100mesh to -325mesh, grain size of synthesized titanium diboride decreased.
The activation energy of reaction was obtained by using temperature profile analysis. The activation energy of reaction was found to be 308±37kJ/mol.
