Textured Ti₃SiC₂ by gelcasting in a strong magnetic field

Abstract

We present a novel application of gelcasting in a strong magnetic field for texture development in the ternary MAX phase carbide-Ti₃SiC₂. The applicability of a low-toxic and water soluble monomer-glycerol monoacrylate for gelcasting Ti₃SiC₂ has been shown. Textured green bodies of Ti₃SiC₂ with a,b-axis oriented along the direction parallel to the applied magnetic field could be fabricated. The relative green density was found to increase from 34 to 58% with increasing solid-loading (30 to 55 vol %) of the suspension but at the cost of the degree of orientation. The Lotgering’s orientation factor- f_L(00l) - on the textured top surfaces varied from 0.81 to 0.2 as the solid-loading increased from 30 to 55 vol %.