Abstract
The stoichiometry of titanium carbide (TiC(x)) particles is important in determining particle properties. Spherical TiC(x) powders with particle sizes of 1-5 μm were produced by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) in 30 wt.% Al-, 30 wt.% Cu-, and 30 wt.% Fe-Ti-C systems, respectively. To measure the compositions of the carbide powders, atom probe tomography (APT) tip specimens were carefully prepared by using a focus ion-beam milling method. APT analysis revealed that the TiC(x) particles formed in Al-, Cu-, and Fe-Ti-C systems are highly substoichiometric. The results are consistent with observations of the TiC(x) particles with a high content of oxygen and a certain amount of secondary metallic elements (Al, Cu, and Fe).