Reaction mechanism in Ti–SiC–C powder mixture during pulse discharge sintering

During pulse discharge sintering (PDS) of Ti/SiC/C powder mixture, combustion synthesis reactions occurred at heating rates above 20 °C/min. With an increase in heating rate, combustion synthesis occurred at higher temperatures. The essential of this combustion reaction is the liquid reaction between Ti and formed Ti5Si3. The exothermic TiC formation during PDS process promotes this liquid reaction. We have found that the combustion reactions alone did not finish the formation reactions for Ti3SiC2, and further heating following the combustion reactions is necessary for the synthesis process of Ti3SiC2.