Machinability of Ti3SiC2 with layered structure synthesized by hot pressing mixture of TiCx and Si powder

Nanolaminate Ti3SiC2 was synthesized from a mixture of TiCx (x = 0.67)/Si powder by hot pressing to increase machinability. Ti3SiC2 was synthesized at temperatures of 1360 degrees C and 1420 degrees C for 90 min under a pressure of 25 MPa. The X-ray diffraction results showed that while mainly Ti3SiC2 with some unreacted TiCx were detected in the synthesized samples at 1360 degrees C no phases except Ti3SiC2 phases remained in the synthesized samples at 1420 degrees C. The cutting resistance of Ti3SiC2 was measured in terms of the principle, feed, and thrust forces and was compared with that of middle-carbon steel, SM45C. The values of the principal force of the synthesized Ti3SiC2 were lower than those of SM45C. After machining, the roughness of the Ti3SiC2 was lower than those of SM45C; however, the damage to the tool bit used for the machining of SM45C was less than the damage to those used for the machining of the Ti3SiC2. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.