Combustion synthesis of single phase Ti5Si3

Abstract

Ti[sub 5]Si[sub 3] is an important compound of the Ti-Si binary system with potential usage in high temperature aerospace applications. Silicides are important because of their superb oxidation resistance. Other characteristics for structural service temperatures of up to 1,600 C include low density, good strength at high temperature, good creep resistance, and microstructural stability over the temperature range between 25 C and the maximum service temperature. Because they are high temperature materials, the processing of the refractory silicides may not be easy. Typical processes for producing the silicides include chemical/ physical vapor deposition, rapid thermal processing for thin films and traditional casting or powder metallurgical processing. The drawbacks of these processes include high capital investments and an extended amount of time at high temperatures. As detailed in several reviews, Combustion Synthesis (CS) processing, provides several benefits, including the generation of substantial heat in situ, use of a simple reactor, ease of scaling up, tailoring of the composition, and reduction of impurities.