Synthesis of Ti sub(3)AlC sub(2) Powders Using Sn as an Additive

Nearly pure Ti sub(3)AlC sub(2) powders have been synthesized by calcining a mixture of titanium, aluminum, and graphite powders using tin powders as additives. Four recipes with different mole ratios of Ti:Al:C:Sn were examined at calcining temperatures from 1300 to 1500C. The addition of Sn effectively inhibited the generation of thermal explosion when the volume of the starting materials is larger, and considerably reduced the lower-limit calcining temperature. The nearly pure Ti sub(3)AlC sub(2) powders can be obtained reliably on a large scale by calcining the starting materials with a mole ratio of 3Ti:1Al:1.8C:0.2Sn at temperatures from 1350 to 1500C.