Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis in a Ti−Al−C Powder System Using Different Carbon Precursors

Abstract

The processes associated with self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) in the Ti−Al−C powder system are studied, with hexamethylenetetramine amine (С₆H₁₂N₄), polytetrafluoroethylene, and amorphous carbon (aC) used as carbon precursors. The key parameters of SHS and way the it unfolds are shown to be determined by the carbon precursor used and a technique employed for preparing initial powder samples. With the indicated carbon precursors, we are able to prepare nanostructured composite materials containing titanium carbide and the Ti₂AlC MAX phase, while the Ti₃AlC₂ MAX phase is formed under specific conditions in the Ti−Al−С₆H₁₂N₄ and Ti−Al−aC powder systems.