Ti3SiC2 MAX Phase From TiC-Si-Ti Mixture

Abstract

There are more than ten MAX phase systems and more than fifty MAX phases. This work is focused to produce Ti3SiC2 MAX phase using Si, C, TiC powders. On the DTA curve of the mixture showed two exothermic peaks at temperature 970 and 1250 ˚C which were related with the formation of the MAX structure on the carbide layer. TiSi, SiC, TiC and Ti3SiC2 phases were detected in the sintered samples at temperature above 1300 ˚C for 3 h sintering time. At higher temperature and longer reaction time, SiC decomposes depending on the holding and reaction temperature. The silicon to titanium carbide and carbon ratios should be in stoichiometric but the silicon content of the starting composition requires more than 20% excess.