Microstructure and Crystallography of Titanium Nitride Whiskers Grown by a Vapor–Liquid–Solid Process

Titanium nitride whiskers having diameters of 0.5 to 1.5 μm and aspect ratios in the range of 20 to 50 have been produced by a new commercially scalable vapor–liquid–solid process. Electron microscopy studies have shown that most of the whiskers can be classified into two types based upon structure and morphology. The whiskers of one type are single crystals and have a growth direction of (100). Whiskers of the second type are comprised of two crystals having a common (110) growth direction. Both types have smooth surfaces and relatively few internal defects. Additionally, a small percentage of whiskers have considerable internal structure related to significant magnesium impurities.