Ti2AlC MAX-phase: Pressure-less synthesis and its oxidation
摘要
High-purity Ti2AlC MAX-phase was synthesized using stoichiometric elemental powder mixture of Ti/Al/C in 2:1:1 molar ratio through pressure-less synthesis technique at 1470 °C temperature under flowing Argon atmosphere. The product showed ~ 50% theoretical density, which results in easy pulverization into powders. The formation temperature of Ti2AlC MAX-phase was identified through high-temperature differential scanning calorimetry (HTDSC) by heating the starting powder mixture up to 1550 °C. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopic analysis confirmed the formation of phase-pure Ti2AlC MAX-phase after pressure-less synthesis at 1470 °C for 1 h. The fractured surface of the product revealed nano-layered structure, a typical characteristic to MAX-phases. The oxidation behaviour of the porous Ti2AlC MAX-phase product was studied at 1200 °C for 1, 5 and 10 h in static air. Oxidized specimens revealed progressive increase in mass gain due to a multi-layer oxide scale formation on the surface. A porous TiO2 layer was found to form at the outer surface followed by relatively dense Al2O3 layer towards the inner Ti2AlC MAX-phase. The total thickness of oxide layer was found to increase from ~ 300 to ~ 1300 µm with the progress of time from 1 to 10 h, while oxidation at 1200 °C.