Preparation of Ti3AlC2 by mechanically activated sintering with Sn aids

The mechanically activated sintering process was adapted to synthesize Ti3AlC2 using 3Ti/Al/2C/0.05Sn powder mixtures. The result showed that the powders containing TiC, Ti3AlC2 and Ti2AlC were obtained by mechanical alloying (MA) 3Ti/Al/2C powders. Addition of appropriate Sn reduced the content of Ti2AlC and enhanced the synthesis of Ti3AlC2 significantly. The powders with highest content of Ti3AlC2 were obtained by MA 3Ti/Al/2C/0.05Sn powders. Through pressureless sintering the mechanical alloyed powders at 900-1100 °C for 2 h, the high purity Ti3AlC2 material with fine organization was produced.