In situ synthesis, mechanical and cyclic oxidation properties of Ti3AlC2/Al2O3 composites

Ti3AlC2/Al2O3 composite materials were successfully fabricated from TiO2/TiC/Ti/Al powders by the in situ reactive hot pressed technique. The microstructure, mechanical and oxidation properties of the composites were investigated in the paper. Vickers hardness increased with the Al2O3 content. The relative density of Ti3AlC2/Al2O3 composites exhibits a declining tendency with Al2O3 content especially exceeds 10 vol. %. The Ti3AlC2/Al2O3 composites show excellent electrical conductivity. The flexural strength and fracture toughness of Ti3AlC2/10 vol. % Al2O3 are 461 ± 20 MPa and 6.2 ± 0.2 MPa m1/2, respectively. The cyclic oxidation behaviour of resistance of Ti3AlC2/10 vol. % Al2O3 composites at 800–1000°C generally obeys a parabolic law. The oxide scale of sample consists of a mass of α-Al2O3 and TiO2, forming a dense and adhesive protect layer. The result indicates that the Al2O3 can greatly improve the oxidation resistance of Ti3AlC2.