Materials based on the MAX phases of the Ti-Al-C system obtained under combustion and high-temperature shear deformation

•Materials based on MAX phases with Ti2AlC and Ti3AlC2 stoichiometry.•Combustion and high-temperature shear deformation.•Distribution of microhardness along the height of synthesized materials. Materials based on MAX phases with Ti2AlC and Ti3AlC2 stoichiometry have been obtained from initial titanium, aluminum, and carbon black powders under conditions combining combustion processes in the mode of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis and high-temperature shear deformation. It is shown that by controlling the green sample composition and synthesis conditions, it is possible to obtain a material with a given stoichiometry and with a controlled size of MAX phase lamellar grains, additionally hardened in situ by TiC and TiAl3. It has been established that the obtained materials have three main zones in cross section: (i) ceramic material consisting of MAX phases and hardening particles; (ii) transition region formed as a result of mutual diffusion of synthesis products and titanium; (iii) consolidated titanium. It has been established that the maximum microhardness (up to 800 HV) is achieved on the surface of the obtained materials, which decreases to 180 HV as it deepens towards titanium.