Effects of rolling deformation on microstructure and mechanical properties of network structured TiBw/Ti composites

TiB whiskers reinforced pure Ti (TiB_w/Ti) composites with a novel network microstructure were successfully fabricated by reaction hot pressing (RHP). TiB whiskers are in situ synthesized around the large pure Ti matrix particles, and subsequently formed into TiB_w network structure. The novel TiB_w/Ti composites with a network microstructure exhibit a superior combination of mechanical properties. In order to further improve the mechanical properties and guide the subsequent plastic forming, the rolling deformation behavior of the novel composites was investigated. The results show that the strength of the novel TiB_w/Ti composites can be effectively enhanced by rolling deformation due to the matrix deformation strengthening effect, and increased with increasing the rolling reduction. The strength of 8.5%TiB_w/Ti (volume fraction) composite is significantly increased from 842 MPa to 1030 MPa by rolling deformation. It is certain that the TiB whiskers are gradually broken with increasing the rolling reduction, which is harmful to the mechanical properties of the composites.