Preparation and properties of TiC/Ti_3SiC_2 composites

TiC/Ti3SiC2 composites were fabricated by reactive hot pressing sintering method using the mixture powder of Ti,Si,C and TiC as raw material.The effect of TiC content on phase composition,microstructure and mechanical properties of TiC/Ti3SiC2 composites was investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.The results demonstrate that dense TiC/Ti3SiC2 composites can be obtained by hot pressing.The addition of TiC into composites can enhance the formation of Ti3SiC2.When the additional content of TiC reaches 30%(mass fraction),the flexural strength and fracture toughness of TiC/Ti3SiC2 composite are 406.9 MPa and 3.7 MPa·m1/2,respectively.Ti3SiC2 phase displays intergranular fracture and TiC grain pulls out from Ti3SiC2 matrix when TiC/Ti3SiC2 composite fractures.