Patent ID: 8357623

Claim:
A method of forming a composite material, comprising the following steps in the sequence set forth: (1) at least partially coating particles comprising titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) with boron carbide (B 4 C) and a carbon source to form coated particles; (2) mixing the coated particles with silicon carbide (SiC) particles to form a particle mixture; (3) forming a green body from the particle mixture; and (4) sintering the green body, comprising: (a) reacting the titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) with the boron carbide (B 4 C) and carbon of the carbon source to form titanium diboride (TiB 2 ); and (b) forming a sintered body comprising grains of titanium diboride (TiB 2 ) dispersed substantially throughout a matrix comprising silicon carbide (SiC).