Abstract: Ti₃SiC₂ based material was successfully synthesized by self combustion in air using mechanically activated 3Ti/Si/2C/0.2Al powders as starting materials. Phase composition and microstructure of the material were characterized by means of XRD and SEM, the composition of sample was determined through EDX. Mechanical alloying of 3Ti/Si/2C/0.2Al powder mixtures may refine the powder particles and produce the severe lattice distortion, which significantly improves the reaction activities of the powders. When the powder mixture is exposed to the air, it self-ignited spontaneously and self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) of titanium silicon carbide (Ti₃SiC₂) is induced. After cooling, a porous sample is obtained. The sample is composed of Ti₃SiC₂,TiC and tiny amounts of oxide. The content of Ti₃SiC₂ in the sample is about 83wt%. Surface of the sample is relatively uniform and dense, but the fracture is rough and porous. Surface layer of the sample consists mainly of Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ grains with a size of 24μm. The oxidation film thickness is 510μm. The inner of the sample is a mixture of Ti₃SiC₂ and TiC. Lath Ti₃SiC₂ grains are 2040μm in length and 24μm in width. TiC grains are about 3μm in dimension.

Key words: Ti₃SiC₂, mechanical activation, combustion synthesis