Combustion synthesis of Ti3SiC2 induced by spark plasma sintering

Combustion synthesis reactions occurred during spark plasma sintering of the 3Ti–SiC–C powder mixture. The reaction paths and structure evolution are studied from the reaction of the 3Ti–SiC–C mixture. The results showed that the combustion reaction was induced at the temperature of 1147°C, resulting in formation amounts of Ti5Si3 and TiC, as well as the minor phase of Ti3SiC2. As the temperature elevated, Ti5Si3 reacted with TiC and graphite to synthesise Ti3SiC2. The proposed reaction mechanism suggests that the formation of Ti3SiC2 might come from two-step reactions. First, Ti reacted with SiC to form Ti3SiC2. Second, TiC, Ti5Si3 and C reacted to form Ti3SiC2.