Study of preparation of TiB2 by TiC in Al melts

TiB2 particles are prepared by TiC in Al melts and the characteristics of them are studied. It is found that TiC particles are unstable when boron exists in Al melts with high temperature and will transform to TiB2 and Al4C3. Most of the synthesized TiB2 particles are regular hexagonal prisms with submicron size. The diameter of the undersurfaces of these prisms is ranging from 200 nm to 1 μm and the height is ranging from 100 nm to 300 nm. It is considered that controlling the transformation from TiC to TiB2 is an effective method to prepare small and uniform TiB2 particles. - Highlights: ► TiC can easily transform into TiB2 in Al melts. ► TiB2 formed by TiC will grow into regular hexagonal prisms with submicron size. ► Controlling the transformation from TiC to TiB2 is an effective method to prepare small and uniform TiB2 particles.