Toughened and corrosion- and wear-resistant composite structures and fabrication methods thereof

1. A composite structure comprising a non-titanium substrate, wherein the non-titanium substrate includes:

a bulk portion having a microstructure;

a surface portion disposed above the bulk portion; and

a reinforced material intermingled with the surface portion, the reinforced material resulting in a surface modification of the composite structure while substantially maintaining the microstructure of the bulk portion of the composite structure,

wherein the reinforced material comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of titanium monoboride, titanium diboride, and combinations thereof, and wherein the reinforced material is disposed at least partially below a surface of the surface portion.

2. The composite structure of claim 1 wherein the reinforced material comprises titanium monoboride.

3. The composite structure of claim 1 wherein the reinforced material comprises structures selected from the group consisting of β-titanium, TiB needles, TiB pillars, and combinations of two or more of the three.

4. The composite structure of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises aluminum.

5. The composite structure of claim 1 wherein the substrate consists of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

6. The composite structure of claim 1 wherein the reinforced material extends into the surface portion of the substrate to a depth of approximately five microns or less.

7. The composite structure of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises steel.

8. The composite structure of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises a ceramic.

9. The composite structure of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises a polymer.

10. The composite structure of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises a ferrous metal.

11. The composite structure of claim 1 wherein the reinforced material comprises TiB pillars having an aspect ratio between one and five.