Synthesis of Ti3SiC2 Powders: Reaction Mechanism

• Published in: Journal of the American Ceramic Society Vol. 90; no. 3; pp. 825 - 830
• Main Authors: Córdoba, José M., Sayagués, María J., Alcalá, María D., Gotor, Francisco J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01-03-2007; Blackwell; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Building materials. Ceramics. Glasses; Ceramic industries; Chemical industry and chemicals; Chemical reactions; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Composite materials; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Miscellaneous; Powders; Silicon carbide; Technical ceramics; Titanium oxide powders; Isothermal condition; Scanning electron microscopy; Thermogravimetry; Vacuum sintering; Experimental study; X ray diffraction; Precursor; Composite material; Powder; Titanium carbide; Non oxide ceramics; Silicon Titanium Carbides Mixed; Inert atmosphere; Transmission electron microscopy; Silicon carbide; Reaction mechanism; Technical ceramics; Chemical synthesis
• ISSN: 0002-7820; 1551-2916
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1551-2916.2007.01501.x

Titanium silicon carbide (Ti3SiC2) and Ti3SiC2‐based composite powders were synthesized by isothermal treatment in an inert atmosphere as a function of initial compositions (mixtures). A high content of TiC was obtained in the final product when the initial mixtures contained free carbon. The use of TiC as a reagent was unsuccessful in obtaining Ti3SiC2. High Ti3SiC2 conversion was found for the initial mixtures containing SiC as the main source for silicon and carbon. An initial mixture with a large excess of silicon, 3Ti/1.5SiC/0.5C, was needed to obtain high‐purity Ti3SiC2. A reaction mechanism, where Ti3SiC2 nucleates on Ti5Si3C crystals and grows by long‐range diffusion of Ti and C, is proposed. The reaction mechanism was proposed to be based on silicon loss during the formation of Ti3SiC2.