Processing, microstructural characterization and mechanical properties of in situ Ti3AlC2/TiAl3 composite by hot pressing

Ti3AlC2/TiAl3 composite was successfully synthesized from Ti, Al, TiC and CNTs mixture powders at 1350 °C and 30 MPa for 2 h in situ. The Vickers hardness, flexural strength and fracture toughness of the composite are 4.3±0.1 GPa, 487.2±64.6 MPa and 5.5±0.2 MPa m1/2, respectively. Toughening is mainly attributed to crack deflection, crack bridging, crack branching and pull-out of Ti3AlC2 particles as well as transgranular cracking. The strong interface combination strength and the dispersed Ti3AlC2 particulates are responsible for the enhancement of the strength.