Phase stability, swelling, microstructure and strength of Ti3SiC2-TiC ceramics after low dose neutron irradiation

W(n+1)AX(n) (MAX) phase Ti3SiC2 materials were neutron irradiated at similar to 400, similar to 630, and 700 degrees C to a fluence of similar to 2 x 10(25) n/m(2) (E > 0.1 MeV). After irradiation at similar to 400 degrees C, anisotropic c-axis dilation of-1.5% was observed. Room temperature strength was reduced from 445 +/- 29 MPa to 315 +/- 33 MPa and the fracture surfaces showed flat facets and transgranular cracks instead of typical kink-band deformation and bridging ligaments. XRD phase analysis indicated an increase of 10-15 wd TiC. After irradiation at similar to 700 degrees C there were no lattice parameter changes, similar to 5 wt% decomposition to TiC occurred, and strength was 391 +/- 71 MPa and 378 +/- 31 MPa. The fracture surfaces indicated kink-band based deformation but with lesser extent of delamination than as-received samples. Ti3SiC2 appears to be radiation tolerant at similar to 400 degrees C, and increasingly radiation resistant at similar to 630-700 degrees C, but a higher temperature may be necessary for full recovery.