Preparation and oxidation of Al₄SiC₄

Single-phase Al₄SiC₄ was successfully synthesized by heating the powder mixture of aluminum, silicon, and carbon black in the molar ratio corresponding to the chemical composition of Al₄SiC₄ with a small amount of triethanolamine (TEA) above 1200 °C in argon gas. Without TEA, two phases of Al₄C₃ and SiC were formed, irrespective of the heating temperature. The marked mass gain by oxidation of Al₄SiC₄ was observed with forming Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ in the range of 850 to 1150 °C, which slightly increased above 1150 °C. At 1600 °C, mullite was formed by the reaction between Al₂O₃ and SiO₂.