Reaction synthesis of layered ternary Ti2AlC ceramic

Reactive sintering of 8Ti:Al4C3:C powder mixtures to form the ternary carbide Ti2AlC is studied in the temperature range 570–1400 °C. After sintering at 1400 °C for 1 h, only the MAX phase Ti2AlC and some TiC are produced. A series of intermediate phases, such as TiC, Ti3Al, Ti3AlC are detected during the reactive sintering process. From X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterizations, a reaction path is proposed for the intermediate phases and Ti2AlC formation. Results show that reaction kinetics may play an important role in the understanding of the reaction mechanisms.