Abstract

The synthesis and consolidation of titanium silicide by electro-discharge-sintering has been investigated. As-received Ti powder was in flaky shape and the mean particle size was 45.0µm, whereas the mean particle size of the pre-milled Si powder with angular shape was 8.0µm. Single pulse of 2.5 to 5.0 kJ/0.34g-elemental Ti and pre-milled Si powder mixture with the composition of Ti-37.5at.% Si was applied using 300µF capacitor. The solid with Ti_5Si_3 phase has been successfully fabricated by the discharge with the input energy more than 2.5kJ in less than 129µsec. Hv values were found to be higher than 1000kgf/mm2. The formation of Ti_5Si_3 occurred through a fast solid state diffusion reaction.

• Keywords: Titanium silicide;Intermetallics;Electro discharge;Micro hardness;