Abstract
The ternary compound Ti3SiC2 possesses an unusual combination of metallic and ceramic properties, such as, high electrical conductivity, good oxidation resistance and remarkable refractoriness. Stoichiometric mixtures of the elemental Ti, Si and C powders were heated under various conditions and the reactions among the powders were investigated to determine the processing conditions for the synthesis of Ti3SiC2. It was found that the formation reaction of Ti3SiC2 from the mixed elemental powders was very related to the formation of a eutectic liquid phase in the Ti–Si system. Porous compacts of high-purity Ti3SiC2 were produced by reactively sintering the powder compacts of the elemental powder premixes at 1673 K, and were readily pulverized to fine powder.
