Influence of spark plasma sintering dwell time on structural-phase state and mechanical properties of laminated composites based on Ti3Al(Si)C2/Nb

In this work, laminated metal-ceramic composites based on Ti3Al(Si)C2/Nb were obtained by spark plasma sintering of preceramic paper sheets with a MAX-phase Ti3Al(Si)C2 filler and Nb foils at a temperature of 1250 °C and a pressure of 50 MPa for 3, 5, 10 and 20 minutes. The effect of dwell time on the microstructure, phase composition, and mechanical properties of the laminated composites was analyzed. It is established that the dwell time does not affect the phase composition of composites, although it leads to insignificant changes in the reaction layer. The reaction layer of the obtained composites is a complex multiphase system represented by aluminides and silicides. The bending strength for all composites is about 315 MPa, which is 37% lower than for the monolithic Ti3Al(Si)C2 sample. However, the obtained composite has much higher ductility due to the complex brittle-plastic fracture mechanism and realization of the mechanisms of deflection, crack branching, and delamination of the composite.