Microstructural characterization of Ti-Al-C MAX phases obtained by SPS

« MAX phases » are a very important and interesting class of layered ternary carbides and nitrides, thanks to their unusual properties that combine both those of metals and ceramics. Among all MAX phases synthetized nowadays, Ti2AlC and Ti3AlC2 are distinguishable by their exceptional properties: they are the most lightweight and oxidation resistant ternary carbides [1]. This work is part of a project that studies the influence of experimental conditions using SPS (Spark Plasma Sintering) to synthesize Ti2AlC/Ti3AlC2 MAX phases, starting with powder mixtures of TiC/Al/Ti. To reach this goal, it is important to be able to provide complete and reliable characterization of phases and microstructures of the obtained products, both bulk and powders. To this end, the possibility to characterize preferential orientation, microstrains, shape and size of crystallites using XRD and Rietveld analysis has been studied. The effects of (00l) preferential orientation phenomenon related to nano-lamellar structure on the reliability of quantitative analysis have been particularly evaluated.