Microwave assisted self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of Ti3SiC2 MAX phase
Anna Dmitruk, Krzysztof Naplocha, Miguel Lagos, Pedro Egizabal, Jakub Grzęda
Quarterly No. 4, 2018 pages 241-244
DOI:
keywords: MAX phases, SHS synthesis, microwave, porous microstructure
abstract A method was developed to manufacture Ti3SiC2 MAX phase preforms characterized by open porosity. Samples compacted from elemental powders of Ti, SiC and C with the molar ratio of 3:1.2:1 were heated and synthesized in a microwave field under atmospheric pressure. As this particular composition of elements exhibits rather low reactivity, it was necessary to apply the “coupled” mode of the SHS method. The initiated synthesis first proceeded with the formation of Si-Ti intermetallic and TiC precipitates, whose highly exothermic reactions resulted in a significant increase in temperature to ca. 1800°C. Next, these phases were almost completely transformed into a plate-like Ti3SiC2 MAX phase forming the porous structure of the samples. Although the majority of the synthesized material consisted of Ti3SiC2, some inclusions such as TiSi2, TiC and SiC were also found and identified in the material by the means of scanning electron microscopy and XRD analysis. The manufactured preforms can be used for components working in extreme conditions (heat exchangers, catalyst substrates, filters) or as a reinforcement for composite materials.