Synthesis, properties and thermal decomposition of the Ta4AlC3 MAX phase. Issue 10 (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Griseri, Matteo; Tunca, Bensu; Lapauw, Thomas; Huang, Shuigen; Popescu, Lucia; Barsoum, Michel W.; Lambrinou, Konstantina; Vleugels, Jozef
• Is Part Of: Journal of the European Ceramic Society. Volume 39:Issue 10(2019)
• Page Start: 2973
• Page End: 2981
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: MAX phases -- Ta4AlC3 -- Hot pressing -- Spark plasma sintering -- Thermal -- Decomposition; Ceramic materials -- Periodicals; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Matériaux céramiques -- Périodiques; Composites -- Périodiques; Ceramic materials; Composite materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2019.04.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0955-2219

Abstract

Abstract: The present work describes a synthesis route for bulk Ta4 AlC3 MAX phase ceramics with high phase purity. Pressure-assisted densification was achieved by both hot pressing and spark plasma sintering of Ta2 H, Al and C powder mixtures in the 1200–1650 °C range. The phases present and microstructures were characterized as a function of the sintering temperature by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. High-purity α-Ta4 AlC3 was obtained by hot pressing at 1500 °C for 30 min at 30 MPa. The β-Ta4 AlC3 allotrope was observed in the samples produced by SPS. The Young's modulus, Vickers hardness, flexural strength and single-edge V-notch beam fracture toughness of the high-purity bulk sample were determined. The thermal decomposition of Ta4 AlC3 into TaCx and Al vapour in high (˜10 −5 mbar) vacuum at 1200 °C and 1250 °C was also investigated, as a possible processing route to produce porous TaCx components.