High-temperature oxidation behavior of un-dense Ti3AlC2 material at 1000 °C in air

Un-dense Ti3AlC2 material containing 3 wt% TiC was prepared by hot-pressing process using elemental powders of 2TiC/Ti/Al. Its oxidation behavior at 1000 degrees C in static air was investigated. SEM analysis indicates that the as fabricated sample is un-dense and the Ti3AlC2 grains with plate-like shape exhibit two types of fracture surfaces of layered and flat features. The oxidation behavior of the product exposed at 1000 degrees C for 30 h obeys a near-cubic law. The scale consists of rutile TiO2 and alpha-Al2O3 phases, and presents three layers, including an outer un-dense TiO2 layer adhering to a little Al2O3, a thick intermediate TiO2 + Al2O3 mixed layer and a thin inner Al2O3 layer with some pores. The thickness of the oxide layer was higher than 300 mu m. In addition, the deleterious effects of TiC and innate-pores on the oxidation resistance of the product were also investigated. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.