Synthesis of Ti3SiC2-based materials using microwave-initiated SHS

Preparation and characterization of ceramic materials in the Ti-Si-C system are presented. Mixtures of titanium, silicon and carbon powders were ignited by microwave energy. Powders prepared by conventional SHS and microwave-initiated SHS were compared. Compositional characteristics of these powders were determined using X-ray diffraction. Conventionally-ignited SHS compacts, with no sustainable heating after ignition, resulted in a product with a large fraction of TiC. Conventionally-ignited SHS samples that were sustainably heated for up to 30 minutes at 1400°-1450 °C resulted in a product composed of TiC with traces of Ti3SiC2. Samples ignited and sustainably heated with microwave energy for up to 30 minutes at 1400°-1450 °C resulted in a product that maintained a high fraction of the Ti3SiC2 phase. Microwave energy seemed to inhibit the decomposition and actually favor the formation of the Ti3SiC2 phase starting from Ti-Si-C powder mixtures.