Synthesis of Ti3SiC2 Through Pressureless Sintering

Ternary compound Ti3SiC2 was synthesized by pressureless sintering the powder mixture of 3Ti/1.2Si/2C, 3Ti/1.2Si/2C/0.1Sn, and 3Ti/1.2Si/2C/0.1Al with preliminary liquid magnetic stirring. The Ti3SiC2 was synthesized at 1400°C for 30 min. The addition of appropriate Al amount enhanced the synthesis of Ti3SiC2. The mechanism of Ti3SiC2 synthesis from 3Ti/1.2Si/2C/0.1Al was presumed to be the reactions between the intermediate phases of Ti–Al and Ti–Si intermetallics and other reactants in the starting powder. The Ti–Al and Ti–Si liquid interaction occurring at high temperatures was found to assist the synthesis reaction of Ti3SiC2.