Scientists at Tomsk Polytechnic University in Russia have created new laminated composites based on MAX-phases, incorporating niobium layers to significantly improve mechanical strength and fracture toughness. These innovative materials, developed using pre-ceramic papers and niobium metal foils, show potential for use in high-load and high-temperature applications in mechanical and aeronautical engineering.
Supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation (№23-19-00109), the research results were published in the journal Advanced Engineering Materials. The project addresses the need for new materials in aerospace and transportation that can withstand high temperatures, mechanical stress, and aggressive environments.
MAX-phases, known for their unique combination of metal and ceramic properties, have been enhanced by the addition of niobium, a ductile metal with a high melting point. The scientists used spark plasma sintering to create multilayer composites with improved fracture toughness and reduced brittleness.
Egor Kashkarov, Head of the Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Safety of Hydrogen Power Systems, explained that adding niobium significantly increased the fracture toughness while maintaining the ceramic material's advantages. The result is a material that can withstand high degrees of deformation without complete destruction.
The use of pre-ceramic paper, a composite material made primarily of cellulose fibers and filler, allowed the researchers to produce uniformly thick materials with precise structures and properties. The team also studied the sintering process and the interaction between metal and ceramics, analyzing how the thickness of individual layers affects the composite's final mechanical properties.
Future experiments will explore composites based on MAX-phases with other metals, such as tantalum. The research aims to develop guidelines for creating corrosion-resistant, high-strength laminated metal-ceramic composites, determining optimal conditions for temperature, mechanical loads, and other operating parameters.
