• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.301-306
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• 2014

Titanium alloys are extensively used in high-temperature applications due to their excellent high strength and corrosion resistance properties. However, titanium alloys are problematic because they tend to be extremely difficult-to-cut material. In this paper, the powder synthesis, spark plasma sintering (SPS), bulk material characteristics and machinability test of hybrid $Ti_2AlC$ ceramic bulk materials were systematically examined. The bulk samples mainly consisted of $Ti_2AlC$ materials with density close to theoretical value were synthesized by a SPS method. Random orientation and good crystallization of the $Ti_2AlC$ was observed at $1100^{\circ}C$ for 10 min under SPS sintering conditions. Scanning electron microscopy results indicated a homogeneous distribution and nano-laminated structure of $Ti_2AlC$ MAX phase. The hardness and electrical conductivity of $Ti_2AlC$ were higher than that of Ti 6242 alloy at sintering temperature of $1000^{\circ}C{\sim}1100^{\circ}C$. Consequently, the machinability of the hybrid $Ti_2AlC$ bulk materials is better than that of the Ti 6242 alloy for micro-EDM process of micro-hole shape workpiece.