Reactive hot pressing parameters on reaction, densification, and mechanical properties of Ti 3 AlC 2 ceramic

Abstract Ti 3 AlC 2 ceramic was produced using a 3Ti–Al–1.8C powder mixture by reactive hot pressing at 2–10 MPa and 1100°C–1300°C for 15–60 min. X‐ray diffraction patterns confirmed the Ti 2 AlC phase up to 1200°C, and at 1300°C, Ti 3 AlC 2 remained as a primary phase with a tiny peak of TiC. Ti 3 AlC 2 and TiC phases varied from 93 to 96 vol.% and 7 to 4 vol.%, respectively, with different pressure and time at 1300°C. An applied pressure of 10 MPa and 1300°C resulted in a density of 4.18 g/cm 3 (98.4% relative density) in the samples. It was observed that lower temperature (1100–1200°C) and low applied pressure (2 MPa) do not attain the required density, whereas soaking time is insignificant to achieve the required density at 1300°C. The microhardness and flexural strength were 6.32 ± .20 GPa and 592 ± 42 MPa, respectively.