Formation Mechanisms in SPSed TiC-Ti<sub>3</sub>SiC<sub>2</sub> Composites by Elementally Powders Method

Ti3SiC2-based composites prepared with elemental powders exhibit advantages such as thermodynamic stability and high bonding strength. In ternary systems, thermodynamic data, including the phase equilibrium relationships of the system, provide essential information for determining the reaction mechanisms and final products. The equilibrium phase diagram of the Ti-Si-C ternary system and the existing thermodynamic data estimated unknown thermodynamic properties and calculated the chemical potential of each component. The composite was prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) of Ti, Si, and C elemental powders through in-situ reaction at 1573 K. Based on the microstructural observation and XRD results of the composite, the phase formation mechanism and reaction path of the in-situ reaction of three elemental powders in the Ti-Si-C system were analyzed.