Synthesis of Cr2AlC from Elemental Powders with Modified Pressureless Spark Plasma Sintering

We introduced a modified pressureless sintering strategy by SPS with a new T-shape die and tapered punches, which helps the evaporation of melted Al and reduces the sample sticking with the inner wall of the die. Thus, the die breaking risk in the sintering process or the de-molding process is avoided at all. At a low temperature and short holding time, a high purity of Cr2AlC was obtained in this SPS process from the optimization of different molar ratios of raw materials. Simultaneously, the high porosity of the as-obtained sample was also a distinguishing feature worth noticing. The reaction mechanism for this process was also discussed in detail. This study presented a new venue for future development of high purity MAX materials and others related materials by a modified pressureless sintering strategy.