Synthesis of Ti3SiC2 by spark plasma sintering(SPS) of elemental powders
(1. State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing,Wuhan University of Technology,Wuhan 430070, China;
2. Department of Manufacturing Engineering and Engineering Management,
Faculty of Science andEngineering,City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)
2. Department of Manufacturing Engineering and Engineering Management,
Faculty of Science andEngineering,City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)
Abstract: Ti3SiC2 materials have been fabricated by spark plasma sintering of the elemental powders with the addition of Al. At the heating rate of 80℃/min and under the pressure of 30MPa, the ideal synthesis temperature of Ti3SiC2 is in the range of 1150-1250℃. The addition of Al is in favor of the formation of Ti3SiC2. The synthesized compound has the molecular of Ti3Si0.8Al0.2C2 and lattice parameters of a=0.3069nm, c=1.7670nm. Its grain is plane-shape with a size of about 50μm in the elongated dimension. The prepared material has Vickers hardness of 3.5-5.5GPa(at 1N and 15s) and is as readily machinable as graphite’s.
Key words: Ti3SiC2; synthesis; spark plasma sintering