Processing and Microstructural Characterization of TiB 2 Liquid Phase Sintered with Ni and Ni 3 Al

An Analytical Electron Microscopy investigation of TiB/sub 2/ hot-pressed and pressureless sintered with Ni revealed the presence of Ni/sub 3/B and tau intergranular phase, respectively. Convergent Beam Electron Diffraction (CBED) was used to crystal structure determination and compositions were determined by quantitative x-ray Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS). The phase analyses were compared with phase diagram data. An evaluation was also made of TiB/sub 2/ hot pressed with Ni/sub 3/Al. Quantitative EDS and EELS microanalysis indicated a Ni, Al type boride tau (Cr/sub 23/C/sub 6/ type) intergranular phase. 8 references, 4 figures.