Nanolaminated ternary carbide (MAX phase) materials for high temperature applications

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2017.11.038
• Publication Date: 2017-12-02T11:10:11Z
• Authors: T. Lapauw; A.K. Swarnakar; B. Tunca; K. Lambrinou; J. Vleugels
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology; 7. Clean energy

Abstract There is a clear need for high-strength (≥ 300 MPa), thermally stable, conductive materials that are also thermal shock resistant. Some MAX phases – ternary nano-laminated carbides and nitrides – are reported to fulfil all these requirements and can be considered as potential structural materials for high-temperature applications. In this work, a set of quaternary (M,M′)AX phase materials based on the Nb-Al-C system were synthesized by reactive hot pressing, starting from M-hydride powders. The possibility to substitute Nb with at least 10 at% of other M elements (M′ = Ti, Zr, Hf and Ta) in the crystal lattice was investigated. The crystal structure of the produced solid solutions was studied by X-ray diffraction and the lattice parameters were calculated by Rietveld refinement. The material behaviour in an inert atmosphere was tested by measuring the elastic properties – Young's Modulus and internal friction – as a function of temperature up to 1500 °C, and the effect of the substitution on the room temperature flexural strength was assessed.