TiC whiskers were synthesized by carbothermal reduction process. By using these whiskers as the toughening phase, a novel TiB₂ based ceramic cutting tool material was prepared. Due to that the thermal expansion coefficient of TiC is close to that of TiB₂, the addition of no more than 30 vol% TiC whisker not only has little adverse effect on the density and flexure strength of the composite, but also can refine the grains, reduce the defects and improve the grain strength. As a result, both the fracture toughness and flexure strength of the TiB₂ based ceramic composite can be significantly improved. Appropriate sintering temperature and holding time can reduce defects, improve the strength of grains and grain boundaries and enhance the toughening effect of TiC whiskers. Experimental results showed that when the whisker content was 30 vol%, the sintering temperature was 1700 °C and the holding time was 30 min, the flexure strength, fracture toughness and Vickers hardness of the TiB₂ based ceramic cutting tool material was 860 MPa, 7.9 MPa·m^1/2 and 22.6GPa, respectively.

TiC晶须通过碳热还原法合成。通过使用这些晶须作为增韧相，制备了新型的TiB ₂基陶瓷切削刀具材料。由于TiC的热膨胀系数接近TiB ₂的热膨胀系数，因此添加不超过30 vol％的TiC晶须不仅对复合材料的密度和抗弯强度没有不利影响，而且可以细化晶粒，减少缺陷，提高晶粒强度。结果，TiB ₂的断裂韧性和挠曲强度均基陶瓷复合材料可以得到显着改善。适当的烧结温度和保持时间可以减少缺陷，提高晶粒强度和晶界并增强TiC晶须的增韧效果。实验结果表明，当晶须含量为30 vol％时，烧结温度为1700°C，保持时间为30 min，TiB ₂基陶瓷切削刀具材料的弯曲强度，断裂韧性和维氏硬度为860 MPa，分别为7.9 MPa·m ^1/2和22.6GPa。