Synthesis of Ti3SiC2 by spark plasma sintering(SPS) of elemental powders

Ti 3SiC 2 materials have been fabricated by spark plasma sintering of the elemental powders with the addition of Al. At the heating rate of 80 ℃/min and under the pressure of 30 MPa, the ideal synthesis temperature of Ti 3SiC 2 is in the range of 1 1501 250 ℃. The addition of Al is in favor of the formation of Ti 3SiC 2. The synthesized compound has the molecular of Ti 3Si 0.8Al 0.2C 2 and lattice parameters of a=0.306 9 nm, c=1.767 0 nm. Its grain is plane-shape with a size of about 50 μm in the elongated dimension. The prepared material has Vickers hardness of 3.55.5 GPa(at 1 N and 15 s) and is as readily machinable as graphite’s.