Pressureless sintering of submicron titanium carbide powders

Utilizing laboratory-synthesized submicron powders, monolithic titanium carbide (TiC) was sintered to a relative density of ~ 95.7% through pressureless sintering (PS) at a temperature of 1700 °C, which is at least ~ 400 °C lower than any other reported sintering temperatures. By comparing with commercial micron grade TiC, results indicate that the utilization of submicron carbide powders can enhance the sintering driving force, inhibit the grain and pore growth, and consequently accelerate the densification. The sample sintered at 1700 °C has a relative density of ~ 95.7%, fine microstructures with a grain size of ~ 5.5 ± 0.7 µm, a moderate Vickers hardness of ~ 20.3 ± 1.3 GPa, and a high flexural strength of ~ 383.5 ± 20.5 MPa.