Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of the Ti3SiC2 MAX Phases Obtained by Hot Pressing

Ti3SiC2 was synthesized by hot pressing at 1400°С for 15 and 30 min at a pressure of 30 MPa from powder mixtures, mainly from Ti/Si/TiC and Ti/TiSi2/TiC. The amount of the Ti3SiC2 phase synthesized from these mixtures was 94.0 and 95.9 vol %, respectively (1400°С, 30 min). The Ti3SiC2 phase crystallized as elongated grains. The effect of the hot pressing time on the formation of the Ti3SiC2 phase from the starting Ti/Si/TiC powders was determined. The final products contained titanium carbide and a small amount of silicon carbide as intermediate phases (for composites containing the starting silicon carbide powders). An excess of silicon leads to the formation of the largest amount of the Ti3SiC2 phase.