Controlling the sizes of in-situ TiC nanoparticles for high-performance TiC/Al–Cu nanocomposites

TiC/Al–Cu nanocomposites were fabricated in Al–Ti–C powder systems using carbon black, a mixture of C and carbon nanotubes (C + CNTs), and CNTs via an in-situ method involving combustion synthesis and hot pressing. As the carbon source changed from pure carbon black to the C + CNT mixture and pure CNTs, the size of the TiC nanoparticles decreased gradually. The nanocomposites synthesized based on the C + CNT mixture exhibited the most uniform dispersion of TiC nanoparticles. The 30 vol% TiC/Al–Cu nanocomposite prepared from the C + CNT mixture had the best comprehensive mechanical properties (yield strength (411 MPa), compressive strength (712 MPa), fracture strain (17.2%), hardness (206.8 HV), and wear resistance under the experimental conditions due to having the most uniformly dispersed TiC nanoparticles. The wear mechanism was a combination of plastic deformation, abrasion, and adhesion. This method may be a low-cost and convenient means to control the sizes of in-situ TiC nanoparticles and prepare high-performance TiC/Al–Cu nanocomposites.