The invention relates to manufacturing the flat or shaped
titanium matrix composite articles having improved mechanical properties such as lightweight plates, sheets for aircraft and automotive applications, heat-sinking lightweight electronic substrates, armor plates, etc. High-strength discontinuously-reinforced
titanium metal matrix composite (TMMC) comprises (a)
titanium matrix or
titanium alloy as a major component, (b)
ceramic and / or ≦50 vol. %
intermetallic hard particles dispersed in matrix, (c) complex
carbide- and / or
boride particles at least partially soluble in matrix at
sintering or
forging temperatures such as ≦50 vol. % AlV2C, AlTi2Si3, AlTi6Si3, VB2, TiVSi2, TiVB4, Ti2AlC, AlCr2C, TiAlV2, V2C, VSi2, Ta3B4, NbTiB4, Al3U2C3 dispersed in matrix. Method for manufacturing these TMMC materials is disclosed. Sintered TMMC density exceeds 98% and closed discontinuous
porosity allows performing hot deformation in air without encapsulating. Near-
full density near-
net shape TMMC parts with acceptable mechanical properties were manufactured without hot deformation.