Effect of aluminium (al) and nickel (Ni) addition on formation of titanium silicon carbide (Ti3SiC2) via arc melting
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Date
2012-07-01
Authors
Norlailatullaili Mazuki
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Abstract
Ti3SiC2 is a layered ternary carbide that possesses unique properties that combining excellent characteristics of metals and ceramics such as low density, high strength and modulus, good machinability, and good resistance to thermal shock. Unfortunately, it is difficult to synthesize single phase Ti3SiC2 material, being often accompanied by unacceptably large amounts of TiC and titanium silicides (TixSiy). Elemental powders of titanium, silicon, graphite, aluminium, and nickel were prepared according to stoichiometric ratio of Ti:Si:C:Al:Ni = 3:1:2:x:y. These powders were mixed and milled using ball milling machine for 24 hours before being compacted. The compacted powder were arced by using arc melting machine for 5 seconds. The effect of different aluminium addition was studied to observe the purity of Ti3SiC2. Besides, the effect of different nickel addition was studied to produce Ti3SiC2 with high density. The hardness of each sample was obtained from Vickers hardness test. From the result obtained, the sample that has high purity and density of Ti3SiC2 was TSC 0.2Al/0.2Ni. The percentage of Ti3SiC2 in the final product was 90 wt. % and the relative density was 89.61 %. However, the hardness of TSC 0.2Al/0.2Ni was the lowest (3.7 GPa) compared to others. Besides, Ti3SiC2 were characterized by Scanning Electron Spectroscopy. TiC and Ti5Si3 appeared to be the common and dominant second phases in all products.