Synthesis, microstructure and properties of (Ti1−x, Mox)2AlC phases

The reaction path of the (Ti 0.9 , Mo 0.1 ) 2 AlC phase from Ti, Al, TiC and Mo powder mixtures was investigated in detail ranging from 500 to 1450°C, and the results show that the reaction between Ti and Al produced Ti–Al intermetallics, and the reaction between Al and Mo formed Mo–Al intermetallics. And then the (Ti 0.9 , Mo 0.1 ) 2 AlC phase was formed by the reaction of Ti–Al, Mo–Al intermetallics, and TiC. At 1350°C for 2 h, a dense (Ti 0.9 , Mo 0.1 ) 2 AlC phase with purity was successfully fabricated. The Vickers hardness, flexural strength and fracture toughness were 5.48 GPa, 363.60 MPa and 5.78 MPa m 1/2 , which were improved by 44, 34 and 136% for (Ti 0.80 , Mo 0.20 ) 2 AlC, respectively, compared with the single-phase Ti 2 AlC.