Combustion synthesis of Ti₃SiC₂ induced by spark plasma sintering

Abstract

Combustion synthesis reactions occurred during spark plasma sintering of the 3Ti–SiC–C powder mixture. The reaction paths and structure evolution are studied from the reaction of the 3Ti–SiC–C mixture. The results showed that the combustion reaction was induced at the temperature of 1147°C, resulting in formation amounts of Ti₅Si₃ and TiC, as well as the minor phase of Ti₃SiC₂. As the temperature elevated, Ti₅Si₃ reacted with TiC and graphite to synthesise Ti₃SiC₂. The proposed reaction mechanism suggests that the formation of Ti₃SiC₂ might come from two-step reactions. First, Ti reacted with SiC to form Ti₃SiC₂. Second, TiC, Ti₅Si₃ and C reacted to form Ti₃SiC₂.

Keywords:

• Ti₃SiC₂
• Combustion synthesis
• Spark plasma sintering
• Reaction mechanism