Dilatometric sintering study of titanium-titanium nitride nano/nanocomposite powders

The sintering behaviour of titanium-titanium nitride nano/nanocomposite powders has been investigated by dilatometry. The nanosized titanium powders (40 nm) were produced by the attrition milling of micron sized titanium powders (12 μm) in Ar atmosphere while the nanosized titanium nitride powders (50 nm) were as procured. Two compositions of the nano/nanocomposite powders, i.e. Ti-8TiN and Ti-15TiN (wt-%) were produced by physical mixing and ultrasonification. Dilatometry was carried out at a constant rate of 10 K min −1 heating to various temperatures in the range of 450-1250°C followed by holding for 1 h. The effect of nanoTiN reinforcement on the sintering onset temperature, linear shrinkage, shrinkage rate, activation energy for sintering, microstructure and grain growth has been reported and discussed.