Influence of MXene (Ti(3)C(2)) Phase Addition on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Silicon Nitride Ceramics

This paper discusses the influence of Ti(3)C(2) (MXene) addition on silicon nitride and its impact on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the latter. Composites were prepared through powder processing and sintered using the spark plasma sintering (SPS) technic. Relative density, hardness and fracture toughness, were analyzed. The highest fracture toughness at 5.3 MPa·m(1/2) and the highest hardness at HV5 2217 were achieved for 0.7 and 2 wt.% Ti(3)C(2), respectively. Moreover, the formation of the Si(2)N(2)O phase was observed as a result of both the MXene addition and the preservation of the α-Si(3)N(4)→β-Si(3)N(4) phase transformation during the sintering process.