Strength and Toughness Mechanisms of Layered Ti 3 AlC 2 Reinforced TiAl 3 ‐Based Composites

Revealing the unique strength and toughness mechanisms of Ti 3 AlC 2 in the TiAl 3 matrix is a challenge of great scientific and practical significance. Ti 3 AlC 2 /TiAl 3 composites were fabricated by in situ reaction which using TiC, TiH 2 , and Al powder as the raw materials. Then, the compressive properties and fracture toughness of the composites were tested. The as‐prepared Ti 3 AlC 2 /TiAl 3 composite with 30% mass fraction of the reinforcement exhibits excellent comprehensive mechanical performance. Its compressive strength, compressive strain and K IC are 1647 ± 21 MPa, 7.1 ± 0.1% and 3.83 ± 0.05 MPa·m 1/2 , respectively, which are 193%, 203%, and 143% higher than those of the pure TiAl 3 matrix. It is demonstrated that the layered Ti 3 AlC 2 reinforcements enhance the strength of Ti 3 AlC 2 /TiAl 3 composites through microdeformations such as interlayer tearing, kinking, shearing, and tensile fracture; Simultaneously, they increase the toughness of the Ti 3 AlC 2 /TiAl 3 composites by generating new interfaces via interlayer sliding and the formation of cleavage planes or cleavage steps.