A novel simple method to stably synthesize Ti3AlC2 powder with high purity

In this work, a novel simple method is presented to synthesize highly pure Ti3AlC2 powder by heating 2TiC/Ti/Al (molar ratio) powder system between 1300 degrees C and 1400 degrees C for 15-30 min in flowing argon atmosphere. 2TiC/Ti/Al is selected as the raw material because of its much lower exothermal quantity than elemental 3Ti/Al/2C powder system in reacting process. The purity of Ti3AlC2 is not sensitive to the final temperature, soaking time or raw material scale. Its content is maintained around 97 wt.%, even though the scale of mixed raw materials vary from 5 g to 1000 g. The synthesized samples can be easily ground into powders with a mean particle size of 4.9 mu m. Synthesis mechanism shows that both Ti2AlC and Ti3AlC2 will generate from the reaction among TiC, Ti and Al below 1200 degrees C. Above 1300 degrees C, Ti2AlC will continue to react with TiC and generate Ti3AlC2. The formation of Al liquid phase above 660 degrees C is considered as a promoting factor in the reacting process. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.