X-ray high-pressure study of Ti2AlN and Ti2AlC

The lattice parameters of Ti2AlN and Ti2AlC powders were measured as a function of pressure up to ≈50 GPa, using a synchrotron radiation source and a diamond anvil cell. No phase transformations were observed. As for most related layered carbides and nitrides, such as Ti4AlN3 and Ti3SiC2, the compressibilities of Ti2AlN and Ti2AlC along the c-axes are larger than those along the a-axes. The bulk modulus of Ti2AlC at 186±2 GPa, is ≈10% higher than that of Ti2AlN at 169±3 GPa.