Fabrication and mechanical properties of textured Ti₃SiC₂ systems using commercial powder

Ti₃SiC₂ is a typical M_n+₁AX_n (MAX) phase ceramic and exhibits both metal-like and ceramic-like properties. To improve these properties, texturing and Al₂O₃ addition were performed. The commercial Ti₃SiC₂ powder used contained approximately 10 mass% TiC phase. Textured Ti₃SiC₂ was prepared by slip casting in a strong magnetic field (MF) followed by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1623 K under a pressure of 40 MPa for 5 min. The Lotgering orientation factor of the (00l) peaks of Ti₃SiC₂ prepared under an MF was 0.96, and the relative density of samples exceeded 99%. The bending strength and fracture toughness of Ti₃SiC₂ were improved by texturing. The textured Ti₃SiC₂ exhibited an excellent bending strength of 978 MPa, but Al₂O₃ addition, reduced the bending strength and fracture toughness. The textured Ti₃SiC₂ showed the plastic deformation at a temperature of approximately 1173 K.