Spark Plasma Sintering of Paper-Derived Ti₃AlC₂-Based Composites: Influence of Sintering Temperature

Abstract

This paper describes the influence of sintering temperature on phase composition and microstructure of paper-derived Ti3AlC2 composites fabricated by spark plasma sintering. The composites were sintered at 100 MPa pressure in the temperature range of 1150-1350 °C. Phase composition and microstructure were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The multiphase structure was observed in the sintered composites consisting of Ti3AlC2, Ti2AlC, TiC and Al2O3 phases. The decomposition of the Ti3AlC2 phase into Ti2AlC and TiC carbide phases was observed with temperature rise. The total content of Ti3AlC2 and Ti2AlC phases was reduced from 84.5 vol.% (1150 °C) to 69.5 vol.% (1350 °C). The density of composites affected by both the content of TiC phase and changes in porosity.