Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of bioinspired web-liked (TiB + TiC + Ti₃Si)/TC4 composites

In this study, bioinspired web-liked multiphase (TiB + TiC+Ti₃Si)/TC4 composites were successfully constructed by employing the boron-modified polysilazane polymer as a source of B/C/Si. The bioinspired architecture consisted of long TiB nanowires with ultra-high aspect ratios (up to 48.2) acting as ‘web’, and hybrid spheroidal TiC and rod-like Ti₃Si particles serving as ‘nodes’. The multiphase reinforcements were grown through the unique SLS (solid-liquid-solid) mechanism based on multiple liquid phases at the core-shell TC4@B_mPSZ interface. The enhanced strength of bioinspired web-liked composites was attributed to the synergistic load transfer of hybrid reinforcements. Notably, the flexural strength reached up to 1863 MPa with a high crack-initiation toughness (K_Ic) of 17.8 MPa·m^1/2. The insights gained from this study provided a promising design approach for developing of high-performance TMCs with high reinforcement content, utilizing polymer instead of traditional ceramic powder.