Synthesis And Pressureless Sintering Of Ti_3sic_2 Powder

摘要

Ti_3SiC_2 powder of about 96 wt% purity was produced using TiC_x and Si powders. The synthesis process was characterized by an exothermic reaction at ～985 ℃ and low activation energy (～27 kJ/mol) of conversion. Almost complete conversion to Ti_3SiC_2 phase was observed during sintering. The onset temperature of sintering was found to be at about 1060 ℃ using dilatometer. The density of nearly 99% (theoretical) was achieved through the pressureless sintering of Ti_3SiC_2 powder by 1 and 2 wt% Si powder additions. The sample (without sintering aid) sintered at 1500 ℃ for 4 h showed uniformly distributed angular grains, whereas the bimodal nature of the microstructure was observed when Si was added as a sintering aid.