Synthesis of high purity titanium silicon carbide from elemental powders using arc melting method

• The effect of arcing time on the formation of Ti3SiC2 was investigated.
• Reaction mechanisms of Ti3SiC2 were discussed based on thermodynamic predictions.
• The adjustment of the amount of Si in Ti–Si–C system has improved Ti3SiC2 formation.

The objective of this study is to investigate the formation of Ti3SiC2 from Ti/Si/C powders using the arc melting method. The results show that the sample sintered at 80 s produced a near single-phase of Ti3SiC2 (99.2 wt.%) with a relative density of 88.9%. These results were confirmed by phase determination using XRD analysis and were supported with micrographs from FESEM/EDX analyses. The relative density and porosity of all samples were dependent on the formation of macropores in bulk samples and micropores in TiCx grains. The proposed reaction mechanisms for the synthesis of Ti3SiC2 by arc melting is that Ti3SiC2 might be formed from TiCx + Si, Ti5Si3Cx + C, and Ti5Si3Cx + TiCx at early arcing time (≤ 10 s), while TiCx + TiSi2 take place at 15 s to 80 s. After 80 s, decomposition of Ti3SiC2 into TiCx, TiSi2 and C was observed.