Influence of Starting Reagents on the Formation of Ti₃SiC₂ Porous Skeleton by SHS in Air

The phase formation and macro/microstructure of a porous skeleton based on Ti₃SiC₂ MAX phase prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of green mixtures consisting of Ti powders differing in particle size, different carbon powder forms, and Si powder in a sand backfill in air. Comparative data on porosity, compressive strength, and quantitative phase composition of synthesized samples were presented. It was established that the fractional composition (particle size) of Ti and C powders, as well as the form of C (graphite, carbon black) influence markedly the macrostructure of porous SHS skeletons. The porous skeleton obtained using coarse Ti and medium colloidal graphite powders was found to have high content of Ti₃SiC₂ MAX phase (66%) and to possess high density and compressive strength (2.41 g/cm³ and 104 MPa, respectively).