A novel Ni2AlTi-containing composite with excellent wear resistance and anomalous flexural strength

A novel twinning platelets strengthened TiC-Ni2AlTi composite was designed and fabricated by an in situ reactive hot-pressing method of blended Ti3AlC2 and Ni powders. Upon de-intercalation of Al from nanolaminated Ti3AlC2 upon heating, TiC twinning platelets with width in submicrometer size were introduced. The obtained composite exhibits excellent wear resistance, high flexural strength, moderate fracture toughness and Vickers hardness. Unexpectedly, the flexural strength of the composite increases with temperature rising from 500 to 800 °C, reaching a maximum of 936 MPa at 800 °C, thereby benefiting the application as cutting tools.