Synthesis and mechanical properties of in-situ hot-pressed Ti3SiC2 polycrystals

The synthesis of titanium silicon carbide (Ti3SiC2) from non-stoichiometric mixture of elemental Ti, Si, and active carbon or graphite powders (3Ti:1.2Si:2C) was investigated. The results show that higher-purity Ti3SiC2 can be attained using active carbon instead of graphite. The fracture toughness of the materials was improved by delamination, grain buckling and pull-out. An high flexural strength resulted for high-purity Ti3SiC2 polycrystals from room temperature to 1473 K.