Reaction mechanism in Ti–SiC–C powder mixture during pulse discharge sintering

Abstract During pulse discharge sintering (PDS) of Ti/SiC/C powder mixture, combustion synthesis reactions occurred at heating rates above 20 °C/min. With an increase in heating rate, combustion synthesis occurred at higher temperatures. The essential of this combustion reaction is the liquid reaction between Ti and formed Ti 5 Si 3 . The exothermic TiC formation during PDS process promotes this liquid reaction. We have found that the combustion reactions alone did not finish the formation reactions for Ti 3 SiC 2 , and further heating following the combustion reactions is necessary for the synthesis process of Ti 3 SiC 2 .