Ti3SiC2 compounds were synthesized by a powder metallurgical route, and corrosion-tested at 800, 900, 1000 and 1100 oC for up to 50 h under an Ar-1%SO2 gas atmosphere. The scale formed consisted primarily of an outer rutile-TiO2 layer and an inner (rutile-TiO2 + amorphous SiO2)-mixed layer. Sulfur was mainly enriched at the scale-matrix interface. The corrosion progressed mainly via oxidation rather than sulfidation. Ti3SiC2 displayed excellent corrosion resistance due mainly to its high Si content that formed a SiO2 barrier layer.
Keywords: Ti3SiC2, Corrosion, Oxidation, Sulfidation.