Toughening of SiC with Ti3SiC2 Particles

• Published in: Journal of the American Ceramic Society Vol. 89; no. 2; pp. 633 - 637
• Main Authors: Mogilevsky, P., Mah, Tai-Il, Parthasarathy, T. A., Cooke, C. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Science Inc 01.02.2006; Blackwell; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Building materials. Ceramics. Glasses; Ceramic industries; Ceramics; Chemical industry and chemicals; Composite materials; Exact sciences and technology; Miscellaneous; Silicon; Technical ceramics; Titanium; Ceramic matrix composite; Property composition relationship; Mechanical properties; Dispersion reinforced material; Experimental study; X ray diffraction; Composite material; Non oxide ceramics; Reaction sintering; Silicon Titanium Carbides Mixed; Hot pressing; Transmission electron microscopy; Silicon carbide; Armor; Technical ceramics; Manufacturing
• ISSN: 0002-7820; 1551-2916
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1551-2916.2005.00717.x

Composites in the SiC–TiC–Ti3SiC2 system were synthesized using reactive hot pressing at 1600°C. The results indicate that addition of Ti3SiC2 to SiC leads to improved fracture toughness. In addition, high microhardness can be retained if TiC is added to the material. The best combination of properties obtained in this study is KIc=8.3 MPa·m1/2 and Hv=17.6 GPa. The composition can be tailored in situ using the decomposition of Ti3SiC2. Ti3SiC2 decomposed rapidly at temperatures above 1800°C, but the decomposition could be conducted in a controlled manner at 1750°C. This can be used for synthesis of fully dense composites with improved properties by first consolidating to full density a softer Ti3SiC2‐rich initial composition, and then using controlled decomposition of Ti3SiC2 to achieve the desired combination of microhardness and fracture toughness.