Fabrication of Ti3SiC‌‌2-SiC max phase composites via in-situ and ex-situ synthesis

Recently, a series of three-component compounds with the combination of Mn+1AXn known as Max phases have been considered as a new material. One of the most important features of Max phases, is the self-healing property of them. The main reason for considering Max Phases is a unique collection of unusual properties including their metallic, ceramic, physical, and mechanical properties. One of these Max Phases is Ti3SiC2 triple composition. The mechanical properties of this type of max phase can be improved by using various reinforcements such as carbides (like silicon carbide). High hardness, high melting temperature, high mechanical strength and high elasticity modulus are the hallmark properties of silicon carbide. The oxidation resistance of silicon carbide is also high due to the formation of the silica layer. Ti3SiC2-SiC composite can be synthesized in a mixture of Si and TiC with a suitable stoichiometric ratio by hot pressing method. In this research, the main objective of the study is to investigate the mechanical properties of in-situ fabricated Ti3SiC2-SiC composite compare it with ex-situ composite. Therefore, Ti3SiC2-SiC composites were prepared via in-situ and ex-situ routs by hot pressing at a temperature range of 1400- 1600 °C under pressure of 30-40 MPa for 30- 60 min, and its physical and mechanical properties included density, hardness, flexural strength and fracture toughness were evaluated and compared. X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for phase and microstructural analysis, respectively.