Formation, densification, and selected mechanical properties of hot pressed Al4SiC4, Al4SiC4 with 30 vol.% WC, and Al4SiC4 with 30 vol.% TiC

Powders of Al4C3 and SiC were combined by high-energy milling to produce Al4SiC4, Al4SiC4 + 30 vol.% TiC, and Al4SiC4 + 30 vol.% WC. Five different temperatures were used to hot press the constituents. XRD, SEM, relative density, and hardness measurements showed that formation of single-phase Al4SiC4 occurred at 1450 °C and full densification (99%) was achieved at 1500 °C. Both of these temperatures are lower than previously reported. Adding TiC and WC increases hardness, while WC improves densification (99.5%).