Abstract

A novel method based on the solid–liquid reaction in the Ti–Sn–C system was developed for the synthesis of Ti₂SnC powders. In this process, Ti–Sn intermetallic compounds were formed in liquid Sn, then they further reacted with graphite powders to form Ti₂SnC. The advantages of this solid–liquid reaction based method include low synthesis temperature, short reaction time and less impurity in the as-prepared powders. Investigations on the stability of Ti₂SnC powders demonstrated that Ti₂SnC was stable in Ar up to at least 1200 °C. In air, however, a complex oxidation–decomposition–oxidation process was observed.