Synthesis of high-purity polycrystalline MAX phases in Ti–Al–C system through Mechanically Activated Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis

Ternary MAX phase compounds were synthesized using an alternative route called MASHS (Mechanically Activated Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis). This original process combines a short duration ball milling (MA) of reactants (Ti, Al, C) with a self-sustaining combustion (SHS). The particle size evolution of the powder mixture during Mechanical Activation was monitored using XRD profile analysis. The effect of Al-excess was also discussed. XRD and SEM analyses have proved that the activation of the reaction kinetics must be accompanied by a decrease in the overall exothermicity in order to synthesize pure Ti–Al–C MAX phases by MASHS.