Mechanically activated low-temperature synthesis of Ti2SnC

Ti2SnC has been fabricated from Ti, Sn and graphite elemental powders by mechanically activated low-temperature synthesis (MALS) technique. Superfine powders were obtained after milling the elemental powders for only 1 h with a charge ratio of 20:1. The mechanically alloyed powders were then pressureless sintered at different temperatures at At atmosphere for 0.5 h. High content of Ti2SnC was obtained at 950 degrees C, which is lower than the previously reported temperatures of above 1200 degrees C by sintering the conventional mixture powders. The microstructure shows that Ti2SnC grains with plate-like shape and smooth surface are less than 5 mu m in size. The result demonstrates that the MALS is a novel method for the synthesis of Ti2SnC or other ceramic powders.