Influence of Surfactant on Thermal Stability of Mechanically Synthesized Phase of TiSiC

Influence of stearic acid and graphite additives during mechanical alloying of titanium and silicon in petroleum ether on the structural-phase state and stability of titanium carbosilicide during annealing up to 1300°C is studied. Barrier layers on the particles formed in the presence of surfactants are shown to enhance stability of carbosilicide more effectively than graphite does. Surfactant additives promote the formation of additional silicon-containing phase and more efficient sintering of particles.