Synthesis of MAX-Phase of Titanium Silicon Carbide (Ti<sub>3</sub>SiC<sub>2</sub>) as a Promising Electric Contact Material by SHS Pressing Method
Abstract
In this work, we describe the synthesis of the MAX-phase of titanium silicon carbide (Ti 3 SiC 2 ) received by the method of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) with application of pressure (SHS-pressing). Compacted Ti 3 SiC 2 was obtained from initial mixture of powders of titanium, silicon and carbon (soot) with the ratio of powder components of 3Ti+(1.2-1.25)Si+2C. Using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive analysis, it was shown that the synthesized product of SHS-pressing is a dense composite material consisting of the core phase of Ti 3 SiC 2 and side phases of TiC and TiSi 2 . The basic physical and mechanical properties of the new composite material: density, compressive strength, hardness, electrical conductivity were studied. This material is of interest as a promising electric contact material.