| Abstract Scope |
Ti<sub>3</sub>SiC<sub>2</sub> MAX phases are the laminated compounds ternary carbides or nitrides with M as a transition metal, A as an A-group element, and X as Carbon, possessing low density (4.5 g/cm<sup>3</sup>), good mechanical, and thermal properties. Herein, starting powders of Ti:Si:TiC (1:1:2) and Ti:Si:TiC (1:1:2)+ 20 vol% SiC are reactive sintered at 1400 °C, 40 MPa for 15 min, to produce highly dense (>99%), Ti<sub>3</sub>SiC<sub>2</sub> and Ti<sub>3</sub>SiC<sub>2</sub>/SiC composites. Phase analysis revealed formation of Ti<sub>3</sub>SiC<sub>2</sub> as major phase, TiC as minor phase and some traces of TiSi<sub>2</sub>. Phase and microstructural analysis confirmed the retained SiC phase and its uniform distribution in Ti<sub>3</sub>SiC<sub>2</sub> matrix. Coefficient of thermal expansion from RT to 1000 °C is observed to be in the similar range i.e., (7-10)×10<sup>-6</sup> W/m.K for Ti<sub>3</sub>SiC<sub>2</sub>/SiC and (9-11)×10<sup>-6</sup> W/m.K for Ti<sub>3</sub>SiC<sub>2</sub>. Furthermore, effect of SiC reinforcement on hardness, and thermal conductivity of Ti<sub>3</sub>SiC<sub>2</sub> MAX phase composites is also evaluated. |