Microstructure and deformation behavior of novel metal–ceramic laminated composites Ta/Ti<sub>3</sub>Al(Si)C<sub>2</sub>–TiC

New metal–ceramic laminated composites Ta/Ti3Al(Si)C2–TiC were obtained by spark plasma sintering. The samples were synthesized at a temperature of 1250°C and a pressure of 50 MPa for 5 min. For the formation of composites, preceramic paper with a powder filler based on the MAX phase Ti3Al(Si)C2, as well as and metal foils made of tantalum, were used. The phase composition, microstructure and elemental composition were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, respectively. It was found that as a result of sintering, dense multilayer composites were formed, consisting of tantalum metal layers, ceramic layers containing Ti3Al(Si)C2, TiC and Al2O3 phases, as well as reaction layers ~13 μm thick at the metal–ceramic interface, enriched with Ta, Al and Si. Based on mechanical test data, the ultimate bending strength of the obtained composites was determined (σbs = ~430 MPa). Metal–ceramic laminated composites with a refractory tantalum layer were shown to exhibit a ductile fracture mechanism, accompanied by a more than fourfold increase in absolute deformation compared to a Ti3Al(Si)C2-based ceramic composite. This is achieved due to deflection, branching of cracks at the metal–ceramic interface and plastic deformation of tantalum layers.