Synthesis of Ti3AlC2 MAX Phase in KBr Protective Melt

Abstract

The characteristics of the Ti₃AlC₂ MAX phase in the protective melt of KBr salt have been studied in relation to the synthesis temperature (within the range of 1150–1300°C) and the molar ratio of the initial reagents. It has been established that the synthesis conditions exert a significant influence on the phase composition of the resulting products. X-ray powder diffraction has revealed that the content of the Ti₃AlC₂ MAX phase exhibits a non-monotonic variation with varying process temperature, reaching maximum values at temperatures of 1175 and 1275°C. The results of the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) mapping experiments have confirmed the formation of the MAX phase at all synthesis temperatures employed, with the highest content recorded at temperatures of 1175 and 1275°C. The thermal behavior of the synthesis products of the Ti₃AlC₂ MAX phase at temperatures of 1175 and 1275°C (5 h exposure time) has been investigated using a DSC–TGA device. The yield work for the obtained samples has been determined by Kelvin probe force microscopy.