Fabrication of Ti3AlC2 ceramic material by mechanical alloying

Ti3AlC2 has the properties of ceramics and metals. These excellent properties indicate that Ti3AlC2 is a very promising material to extensive applications. Ti3AlC2 ceramic material was prepared by mechanical alloying. The effects of milling time and sintering temperature on the fracture, microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti3AlC2 ceramic material were analyzed by laser particle analyzer, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The experimental results showed that Ti3AlC2 had the best comprehensive properties after the composite powder was milled for 3 h and sintered at 1630°C for 2 h. The relative density, bending strength, and hardness of the sample reached 92.23%, 345.2 MPa, and HRA 34.1, respectively. The fracture surface indicated that the fracture of the material belonged to ductile rapture.