Work

Exceptional mechanical properties of (Ti 1− x Zr x ) 2 AlC MAX phase coatings with amorphous-nanocrystalline oxidation layers

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The brittleness of hard ceramic materials poses a significant challenge to their practical applications due to the trade-off between hardness and toughness. Here, we propose a hierarchical structure strategy that utilizes alloying and vacuum oxidation to fabricate MAX phase coatings with an amorphous-nanocrystalline oxidation layer on the surface. Hierarchical (Ti1-xZrx)2AlC coatings (x = 0.05~0.18) were prepared via magnetron sputtering followed by vacuum annealing and exhibited enhanced hardness and fracture toughness with increasing Zr content. A maximum hardness of 19.4 GPa and fracture toughness of 4.1 MPa·m1/2 were achieved in the (Ti0.82Zr0.18)2AlC coating, significantly surpassing previously reported MAX phase coatings. The enhanced hardness primarily originated from the formation of solid solutions of Zr at the M-site and second phase Zr3Al2, while the exceptional toughness was attributed to the amorphous-nanocrystalline structure in the surface oxidation layer and the gradient characterization of the coating. These findings provide a pioneered approach based on alloying and oxidation for developing hard yet tough MAX phase coatings and other ceramic materials.

Source: Journal of Advanced Ceramics

DOI: 10.26599/jac.2025.9221201

Authors: Kaihang Wang, Yan Zhang, Guanshui Ma, Yuxi Xu, Zhenyu Wang, Aiying Wang

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo Institute of Industrial Technology, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Marine Materials

Language: English

Topic: MXene and MAX Phase Materials

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,372

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Beihang University, Natural Science Foundation of Ningbo