Preparation and characterization of Ti_3AlC_2/Al composites

The ternary carbide Ti3AlC2ceramic powders with high purity were fabricated by mechanical alloying and heat treatment technology using Ti,Al and C as starting powders. Ti3AlC2/Al composites were prepared by spark plasma sintering,and the effect of sintering temperature on relative density,hardness and friction coefficient of the composites was investigated.The result demonstrates that with the increase of sintering temperature,relative density and hardness of the composite increase,when the sintering temperature is 550 ℃,relative density and hardness of the composite is 97% and 180HV;the friction coefficient of the composite gradually decreases with the sintering temperature increasing,when the sintering temperature is500 ℃,the friction coefficient reaches the minimum value of about 0.186 9,but when the sintering temperature continues to rise,the friction coefficient becomes larger.