Effect of Si element on the interfacial reaction of Ti₃SiC₂ reinforced Al matrix aomposites

Abstract The interfacial reaction behavior of Ti₃SiC₂/Al andTi₃SiC₂/Al-10si matrix composites at high temperature was studied by XRD and SEM. The results showed that the reaction between Ti₃SiC₂ and Al matrix is {Ti}₃{SiC}₂+Al→TiCx+Si+{Al}₃Ti. Ti₃SiC₂ particles in the Ti₃SiC₂/Al composite were almost completely reacted after 700 °C/1 h treatment, whilea large amount of Ti₃SiC₂ particles still existed in the Ti₃SiC₂/Al-10Si composite under the same treatment condition. In addition, the friction coefficient and wear amount of Ti₃SiC₂/Al composite were 0.54 and 0.167 g, respectively, and that in Ti₃SiC₂/Al-10Simatrix composites were 0.29 and 0.019 g. According to the critical condition of ΔG = 0, it is calculated that when the activity of Si is greater than 0.57, the interfacial reaction between Ti₃SiC₂ and Al matrix is inhibited.