Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Al-Matrix Composites Reinforced with Ti3SiC2 Particulates

Abstract

In this paper, we report for the first time, the synthesis and characterization of novel Ti 3 SiC 2 reinforced Al-matrix composites. All the composites were cold pressed and sintered in the temperature range of 700-750°C for 5-30 min in an inert Ar atmosphere. Microstructure analysis by scanning electron microscopy and phase analysis by x-ray diffraction confirmed that there was minimal interfacial reaction between Ti 3 SiC 2 particles and Al. The addition of Ti 3 SiC 2 enhanced the mechanical performance of the composites. For example, the pure Al samples had a yield strength of 97 ± 6 MPa, where as the volume fraction of Ti 3 SiC 2 was increased to 5 and 10 vol.% in the composites, the yield strength increased significantly to 212 ± 27 and 273 ± 52 MPa, respectively. As the volume fraction of Ti 3 SiC 2 was further increased to 20 and 35 vol.%, the yield strength mildly increased to 278 ± 48 MPa, and then decreased to 134 ± 20 MPa, respectively. The decrease in yield strength after 35 vol.% Ti 3 SiC 2 addition in the Al matrix was attributed to the presence of higher amount of porosity in these samples. The addition of Ti 3 SiC 2 particles also had a beneficial effect on the tribological performance of these composites against alumina substrates.

Synthesis and characterization of novel polymer matrix composites reinforced with max phases (Ti3SiC2, Ti3AlC2, and Cr2AlC) or MoAlB by fused deposition modeling

“…This study clearly shows the excellent wear properties of the MoAlB. Recently, Gupta et al showed that the addition of MAX phase (Ti 3 SiC 2 ) particulates enhanced the mechanical and tribological performance of base metals and polymers.…”

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Ti3SiC2 Reinforced Ni-Matrix Multilayered Composite-Based Solid Lubricants

“…In addition, the chemically uniform area of tribofilms from BSE images was designated as *microconstituent*. The "microconstituent" regions are not necessarily single phase but they are deemed chemically uniform at the micron level by EDS analysis of BSE images [18,19]. For the tribology measurements, all the samples were cut into blocks of~4 mm ×~4 mm ×~3 mm.…”

“…The mass of the samples and substrates were measured before and after the testing by a weighing scale (XA 83/220/2X, Radwag, Radom, Poland). The specific wear rate (WR) was calculated by using Equation 2, where m i and m f are the mass of the samples before and after testing, respectively, N is the applied load, and d is the total distance traversed during the testing [18,19]:…”

“…Thermodynamically stable M n+1 AX n (MAX) phases possess a M n+1 AX n chemistry, where n = 1, 2, or 3; M is an early transition metal element; A is an A-group element (mostly IIIA and IVA); C and/or N. MAX phases are novel ternary carbides and nitrides that are bestowed with excellent properties like damage tolerance, thermal shock resistance, and machinability [6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. Further studies of composites of MAX phases with metals have shown many promising properties [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. For example, Zhang et al [10] showed that Cu/Ti3SiC2 is self-lubricating and can be a potential electrofriction material [10].…”

“…[17] showed that composites of Al-V2AlC can be synthesized by quenching from 1000 °C. Gupta et al [18,19] showed that with the addition of Ti3SiC2 particulates in metal matrices, such as Al-, Bi-, and Ag-matrices, the mechanical and tribological of these matrices were improved. These composites were referred to as MAX reinforced metals (MRMs).…”