Tailoring Ti₃SiC₂ ceramic via a strong magnetic field alignment method followed by spark plasma sintering

Highly textured Ti₃SiC₂ ceramic was successfully fabricated by slip casting in a 12 T strong magnetic field followed by spark plasma sintering. The optimized suspension parameters for slip casting were determined as 20 vol% Ti₃SiC₂ and 1.5 wt% polyethyleneimine dispersant of powder in deionized water. After texturing in the 12 T strong magnetic field and then cold isostatic pressing, the relative densities of green bodies were 51.4% and 63.8%, respectively. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the preferred orientation of Ti₃SiC ₂ grains perpendicular to the magnetic field direction was along the c-axis. After sintering at 1100° and 1000°C under the pressure of 120 and 500 MPa, respectively, the relative density of Ti₃SiC₂ reached 88.2% and 98.6%. The Lotgering orientation factors on the textured top surface and textured side surface were determined as f_(00l)=0.95 and f_(hk0)=0.31, respectively. The textured microstructure contributed to the anisotropic mechanical property tested by Vickers indentation.