Synthesis of Ti3SiC2 by reaction of TiC and Si powders

• The MAX phase Ti3SiC2 has been synthesized from starting powder mixtures which do not include pure titanium. The presence of pure titanium in a powder is problematic because of its oxidizing, and in the form of a finely divided powder, explosive nature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the synthesis of bulk polycrystalline samples of Ti3SiC2 from a starting powder mixture which is more suited for large scale production. Titanium silicon carbide MAX phase was synthesized by pressureless sintering of ball milled TiC and Si powders of six different compositions. The sintering reactions were evaluated in situ by dilatometer analysis under flowing argon gas. The as-sintered samples were evaluated using mainly x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. This study showed that titanium carbide, silicon carbide and titanium disilicide were present as intermediate or secondary phases in the samples.Our results indicate that TiSi2 is an intermediate phase to the formation of Ti3SiC2 when excess Si is present. The excess of silicon also proved beneficial for the synthesis of the MAX phase and there is a Si content which is optimal with respect to the maximum MAX phase content of the final product. The Ti3SiC2 was found to decompose into TiC and gaseous Si at high temperatures.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Materialteknik -- Annan materialteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Materials Engineering -- Other Materials Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Materialteknik

Engineering Materials

NATURAL SCIENCES

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)