Preparation of a fine-structured TiC–Co composite by high-energy milling and subsequent heat treatment of a Ti–Co alloy

A fine-structured TiC–Co composite was prepared from a Ti–Co alloy by high-energy milling and subsequent heat treatment. The nanosized TiC and amorphous Co powders were synthesized by mechanical alloying of a Ti–Co alloy/graphite mixture. The amorphous Co phase was crystallized during the subsequent heat treatment. The DSC study revealed that Co in the nanosized TiC–Co powders melts at a lower temperature than that in conventional mixed TiC–Co powders. The coalescence of the nanosized TiC grains was effectively suppressed by the finely-dispersed Co phases making it possible to maintain the fine microstructure throughout the liquid-sintering process. The mechanical properties of the fine-structured TiC–Co composite were superior to not only the conventionally prepared TiC–Co composite but also to the previously reported TiC–Ni composites.