Freeform fabrication of Ti3SiC2 powder-based structures Part II:: Characterization and microstructure evaluation

Characterization of mechanical, morphological and structural properties of compressive strength, Vickers micro-hardness, damage tolerance, thermal shock, and microstructure evaluation of Ti3SiC2 structures fabricated by the three-stage process of three-dimensional printing, cold isostatic pressurizing and sintering are presented. Experimental data show a linear deformation to failure behavior of the Ti3SiC2 specimens, and comparable properties of compressive strength, hardness, damage tolerance and thermal shock of the three-stage fabricated Ti3SiC2 structures to the reported data of Ti3SiC2 bulk. Results of mechanical characterization of Ti(3)SiC2 samples also reveal a process-induced anisotropy in compressive strength, damage tolerance and thermal shock properties. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.