Influences of Process Parameters and Addition Elements on the Fabrication of TiC-Ti3SiC2 Composites by Spark Sintering

• Published in: MATERIALS TRANSACTIONS Vol. 66; no. 5; pp. 608 - 615
• Main Authors: Qu, Jing, Xu, Zhefeng, Matsugi, Kazuhiro, Yu, Jinku, Choi, Yongbum
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sendai The Japan Institute of Metals and Materials 01.05.2025; 公益社団法人 日本金属学会; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Aluminum; Chemical synthesis; Compacts; Composite materials; Graphite; Hardness; in-situ reaction; Process parameters; Self lubricating materials; Self lubrication; Silicon; Sintering; Sintering (powder metallurgy); Sintering aids; spark sintering; sustainable development goals’ materials; TiC-Ti3SiC2 composites; Titanium carbide; Titanium silicon carbide
• ISSN: 1345-9678; 1347-5320
• DOI: 10.2320/matertrans.MT-MC2024008

In TiC-Ti3SiC2 composites, the introduction of the TiC hard phase could improve the hardness of the Ti3SiC2 phase and prepare high hardness, high toughness and self-lubricating materials. In this study, elementary Ti, Si and graphite powders in the molar ratio of 3:1+x:2 were used as starting powders, a small amount of Al powder was added as a sintering aid, and spark sintering technology was used to sinter in the temperature range of 1373 to 1673 K at 50 MPa in vacuum. The reacted phases were identified by X-ray diffraction, and microstructure characteristics were observed. The formation mechanism of TiC-Ti3SiC2 composites was investigated based on the sintering behavior of the elemental powders during spark sintering. Pure TiC-Ti3SiC2 composites could be prepared from Ti, Si, graphite powders and Al at a molar ratio of 3:1.1:2:0.3 at 1573 K with a holding time of 0.9 ks. In conclusion, dual phase consist of TiC and Ti3SiC2 composite could be synthesized through in-situ reaction by adjusting process parameters such as sintering temperature, holding time and the content of Si and Al in element blending method.