Unusual microstructures and strength characteristics of Cu/Ti3AlC2 cermets

Cu/Ti3AlC2 cermets prepared by pressless sintering a mixture of Ti3AlC2 and copper powders were investigated. It was found that the Cu/Ti3AlC2 possesses an unusual microstructure made up of sub-micro-sheet layered Ti3C2 and Cu-Al alloy within one Ti3AlC2 particulate. The fracture strength measured by the three-point-bending manner is increased but the deformation rate is reduced with increase in the volume content of Ti3AlC2 from 30 % to 90 %. The highest fracture strength reached to as higher as 983.9 MPa, corresponding to an extreme strain of 2.64 %. The fracture in mode was changed from brittle to ductile with reduce in the content of Ti3AlC2. The higher fracture strength can be attributed to a stronger interface bond between Ti3AlC2 and Cu-Al phase. A significant network feature formed by the Cu-Al alloy surrounding Ti3AlC2 particulates was observed from the fracture face.