Synthesis, microstructure and properties of (Ti1-x, Mox)2AlC phases

The reaction path of the (Ti-0.9, Mo-0.1)(2)AlC phase from Ti, Al, TiC and Mo powder mixtures was investigated in detail ranging from 500 to 1450 degrees C, and the results show that the reaction between Ti and Al produced Ti-Al intermetallics, and the reaction between Al and Mo formed Mo-Al intermetallics. And then the (Ti-0.9, Mo-0.1)(2)AlC phase was formed by the reaction of Ti-Al, Mo-Al intermetallics, and TiC. At 1350 degrees C for 2h, a dense (Ti-0.9, Mo-0.1)(2)AlC phase with purity was successfully fabricated. The Vickers hardness, flexural strength and fracture toughness were 5.48 GPa, 363.60 MPa and 5.78 MPa m(1/2), which were improved by 44, 34 and 136% for (Ti-0.80, Mo-0.20)(2)AlC, respectively, compared with the single-phase Ti2AlC.