Microstructural relationships between compounds in the Ti-Si-C system

Microstructural relationships between Ti(5)Si(3) and TiC, and Ti(3)SiC(2) and TiC are reported. Ti5Si3 and TiC were determined to share a coherent interface following a new set of orientation relationships, i.e., (11 (2) over bar4)Ti(5)Si(3)||(1 (1) over bar0)TiC and [22 (4) over bar(3) over bar ]Ti(5)Si(3)||[110]TiC. Moreover, direct atomic resolution observation through Z-contrast scanning transmission electron microscopy showed that Ti3SiC2 nucleated within TiC. The close microstructural relationships between compounds in the Ti-Si-C system benefit the understanding of the reaction mechanism for the synthesis of Ti(3)SiC(2). (c) 2006 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.