Synthesis of Ti3SiC2 by infiltration of molten Si

Abstract

High-purity Ti3SiC2 compounds have been fabricated by infiltration of molten Si into a precursor, a partially sintered TiCx (x = 0.67) preform. The Si source and the TiCx preform were placed side by side on carbon cloth, and the system was heated to 1550 degrees C. Molten Si infiltrated the preform through the carbon cloth, and a direct reaction between TiCx and molten Si immediately occurred at the reaction temperature to yield pure Ti3SiC2. We could observe phase formation and the microstructure of the bulk products with time, which were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Pure Ti3SiC2 compounds were formed on the exterior of the TiCx preform at 1550 degrees C when the sintered TiCx:Si ingot molar ratio was 3:1.4. At 1550 degrees C, no other minor phases were detected for any of the sintering time ranges. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.