Reaction in Ti3SiC2 powder synthesis from a Ti-Si-TiC powder mixture

Various heat treatments in vacuum were carried out on free 2Ti-2Si-3TiC powder mixture, in order to disclose the reaction route in the Ti3SiC2 powder synthesis. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for the evaluation of phase identities and the morphology of the powder after different treatments. Ti5Si3 was found to be the only intermediate phase in the heating process, and the reaction between Ti5Si3, TiC and Si resulted in the formation of Ti3SiC2. The nucleation and growth of Ti3SiC2 within TiC particles was observed. A reaction equation regarding the formation of Ti3SiC2 was proposed based on the phase analysis