Processing And Properties Of MAX Phases – Based Materials Using SHS Technique

Abstract

Abstract Authors present results of works on the interesting new group of advanced ceramics called MAX phases – Ti-based ternary carbides and nitrides. They have an original layered structure involved highly anisotropic properties laying between ceramics and metals, with high elastic modulus, low hardness, very high fracture toughness and high electrical and heat conductivity. Using Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis (SHS) in the combustion regime it is possible to prepare MAX phases-rich powders that can be used as the precursors for preparation of dense MAX polycrystals by presureless sintering or hot-pressing. Different novel Ti-based phases with layered structures, namely: Ti3AlC2 and Ti2AlC have been synthesized in a combustion regime. The possibility of controlling of combustion phenomena for obtaining near single-phase products is discussed in details as well as some of properties of the materials tested as structure and functional ceramics.