In-situ formation of 2D-TiCx in Cu-Ti2AlC composites: an interface reaction study

TL;DR

This study demonstrates a novel method to create copper-based composites reinforced with in-situ formed 2D TiCx through interface reactions during vacuum sintering, revealing microstructural details via TEM and WDS analysis.

Contribution

It introduces a new processing approach for in-situ formation of 2D TiCx within Cu matrix composites at the interface level.

Findings

Successful in-situ formation of 2D TiCx at the Cu-Ti2AlC interface.

Microstructural analysis confirms the reaction mechanism.

Elemental mapping shows distribution of elements at the interface.

Abstract

In this paper, we present a concept to fabricate copper based Ti2AlC MAX phase composite focusing on the processing method and the reaction which takes place at the matrix-reinforcement interface to yield 2D TiCx. Copper was reinforced with Ti2AlC (agglomerate size ~40 micron) phase and sintered in vacuum by pressure-less sintering. The interface of consolidated samples was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to reveal the microstructural details. In the due course of consolidation of Cu-Ti2AlC; the formation of 2D TiCx from the reaction between Cu and Ti2AlC by forming solid solution between Cu and Al was facilitated. The reaction between Cu and Ti2AlC has been elaborated and analyzed in the light of corroborated results. Wavelength dispersive spectroscopy (WDS) throws light on the elemental distribution at the site of interfacial reaction. This investigation elaborates a proof of concept to process an in-situ 2D TiCx reinforced Cu metal matrix composite (MMC).