The Effect of Al Additive and Arc Melting Time on Synthesis of Ti3SiC2 MAX Phase using Ti/SiC/Al/Graphite

In this study, the effect of different molar ratios of primary powders and arc melting setting time on the synthesis of Ti3SiC2 powder has been investigated. For this purpose, Silicon Carbide (SiC), Titanium (Ti), graphite (C) and aluminum (Al) powders with molar ratios of 3Ti:1.2SiC:0.8C, 3Ti:1.2SiC: 0.8C:0.1Al and 3Ti:1.2CiC:0.8C:0.3Al were mixed by a planetary mill under an argon atmosphere for 5h. The resulting mixture was formed with a press and subjected to arc melting at 1, 3, 5, and 10s. In samples containing Al additive, the purity of Ti3SiC2 increases with increasing arc melting setting time up to 5s, and the purity decreases with increasing the arc time. The best result was obtained in the sample 3Ti:1.2SiC:0.8C:0.1Al containing 83.6 wt% of Ti3SiC2, which was obtained during the 5s arc melting.