Synthesis, microstructure, and mechanical properties of TiC‐SiC‐Ti3SiC2 composites prepared by in situ reactive hot pressing

Abstract

AbstractIn this work, TiC‐SiC‐Ti3SiC2 composites were synthesized by in situ reactive hot pressing using β‐SiC, graphite, and TiH2 powders as initial materials. Microstructure and mechanical properties of as‐prepared dense composites were systematically investigated. It was found that by increasing the initial SiC content the final SiC content in the composites increased in contrast to the decrease in TiC and Ti3SiC2 contents. In the dense composites, TiC and Ti3SiC2 grains exhibited transgranular fracture, whereas SiC particles showed intergranular fracture. The composite containing 77 vol.% TiC, 4 vol.% SiC, and 19 vol.% Ti3SiC2 had the highest flexural strength of 706.6 MPa. The composite consisting of 44 vol.% TiC, 49 vol.% SiC, and 7 vol.% Ti3SiC2 exhibited the highest Vickers hardness of 22.3 GPa and the highest fracture toughness of 6.0 MPa·m1/2.