Achieving high toughness textured Ti3AlC2 MAX phase by filtration casting with polymer addition and isostatic pressing

Conventional methods for manufacturing high‑toughness textured MAX‑phase ceramics relies on spark plasma sintering and hot-pressing sintering techniques. Here we developed a new technique based on vacuum filtration casting of nano flake-like MAX‑phase powders, followed by pressureless sintering and isostatic pressing. This technique has significantly improved the performance of the prepared materials, which is several times that of MAX-phase materials prepared by currently reported slurry slip casting processes. We investigated different processing routes, as well as the resulting microstructure and properties of the fabricated Ti 3 AlC 2 ceramics. The resulting material achieved a relative density of 99.6%, and when measured parallel to the c‑axis, exhibited a flexural strength of 892 MPa, a hardness of 7.4 GPa, and a fracture toughness of 14.1 MPa·m 1/2 . Moreover, the technique is promising for producing complex shapes, similar to conventional slip casting technologies, demonstrating its potential for industrial application.