Tailoring ultrafine grained and dispersion-strengthened Ti2AlC/TiAl composite via a new fabrication route

In situ Ti2AlC/TiAl composite was fabricated by hot-pressing method via the reaction system of Ti3AlC2 and Ti-Al pre-alloyed powders at low temperature of 1150°C. The composite mainly consisted of TiAl, Ti3Al and Ti2AlC phases. Fine Ti2AlC particles were homogeneously distributed and dispersed in the matrix. Ti2AlC played the significant role of deflecting and blunting the cracks and contributed to improve the mechanical properties of the composite. The Vickers hardness, flexural strength and fracture toughness were 6.2 GPa, 993.9 ± 50.8 MPa and 6.7 ± 0.3 MPa m 1/2, respectively.