Affiliation:
1. Key Laboratory for Preparation of Light Metal Materials, School of Materials and Energy Engineering & Guizhou,
Guizhou Institute of Technology, Guiyang 550003, China
2. School of Materials and Metallurgy, Guizhou University,
Guiyang 550025, China
Abstract
Background:
The titanium silicide Ti5Si3 possesses many desirable properties, such as
a high melting point, excellent high-temperature oxidation resistance, low density, and relatively
high hardness, and it is considered a promising structural intermetallic compound. However, like
most ceramic materials, originating from low symmetry (D88) in its crystal structure, Ti5Si3 has
poor fracture toughness and limited flexibility at room temperature, and at high temperatures, its
creep resistance also drops sharply, which hinders its application. To overcome these shortcomings,
it is suggested that TiC is a practical addition to Ti5Si3 to overcome the brittleness. Compared
with monolithic Ti5Si3, Ti5Si3/TiC composites have a higher fracture toughness. Ti5Si3/TiC
composites can be prepared by many ways, which commonly require high energy cost, complex
processes and provide low efficiency. Therefore, the search for environmentally friendly strategies
for the production of Ti5Si3/TiC is still ongoing.
Objective:
This article proves that we can successfully prepare Ti5Si3/TiC composites from
CaTiO3/SiO2/C precursor by using SOM technology and explores the reaction mechanism of
electrochemical process.
Methods:
In the process of electroreduction of CaTiO3/SiO2/C particles into Ti5Si3/TiC composites,
we mainly used SOM technology at 1273 K and 4.0 V in molten CaCl2 and under an argon
atmosphere.
Results:
The results show that the Ti5Si3/TiC composites can also be successfully electrosynthesized
from CaTiO3/SiO2/C precursors by using SOM-based anode systems at 1273 K and 4.0 V
in molten CaCl2.
Conclusion:
This work demonstrates that Ti5Si3/TiC composites have been successfully electrosynthesized
from CaTiO3/SiO2/C precursors using SOM-based anode systems at 1273 K and
4.0 V in molten CaCl2. The Ti5Si3/TiC has a smooth surface and micro/nano-porous structure.
The formation routes for Ti5Si3 and TiC are independent. In summary, the SOM-assisted controllable
electroreduction process has the potential to provide a novel one-step route from CaTiO3/
SiO2/C precursors to Ti5Si3/TiC composites in molten salts.
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Subject
General Materials Science