Microstructural relationships between compounds in the Ti–Si–C system

Microstructural relationships between Ti5Si3 and TiC, and Ti3SiC2 and TiC are reported. Ti5Si3 and TiC were determined to share a coherent interface following a new set of orientation relationships, i.e., (112¯4)Ti5Si3∥(11¯0)TiC and [224¯3¯]Ti5Si3∥[1 1 0]TiC. Moreover, direct atomic resolution observation through Z-contrast scanning transmission electron microscopy showed that Ti3SiC2 nucleated within TiC. The close microstructural relationships between compounds in the Ti–Si–C system benefit the understanding of the reaction mechanism for the synthesis of Ti3SiC2.