Plastic Behavior of Titanium Carbide

Single crystals of titanium carbide with cube orientations have been deformed in compression in the temperature range 900°–1250°C. Earlier evidence presented by Williams that the primary slip system is {111} 〈11̄0〉 has been confirmed by contrast analysis using the electron microscope and this is maintained in material which deviates from the stoichiometric composition. Dislocation structures typical of a fcc metal with high stacking fault energy have been observed in transmission electron micrographs. The mechanical properties are discussed in terms of a high lattice-friction stress arising from the strong directional bonding between carbon and titanium atoms.