Preparation and oxidation of Al4SiC4

Single-phase Al4SiC4 was successfully synthesized by heating the powder mixture of aluminum, silicon, and carbon black in the molar ratio corresponding to the chemical composition of Al4SiC4 with a small amount of triethanolamine (TEA) above 1200 degreesC in argon gas. Without TEA, two phases of Al4C3 and SiC were formed, irrespective of the heating temperature. The marked mass gain by oxidation of Al4SiC4 was observed with forming Al2O3 and SiO2 in the range of 850 to 1150 degreesC, which slightly increased above 1150 degreesC. At 1600 degreesC, mullite was formed by the reaction between Al2O3 and SiO2.