Micro-scale plastic deformation of polycrystalline Ti₃SiC₂ under room-temperature compression

The micro-scale plastic deformation of Ti₃SiC₂ ceramic under compression test was investigated. The results demonstrate that Ti₃SiC₂ is a damage tolerant material and samples are shear fractured upon failure. Micro-scale plastic deformation was observed in the local deformed region on the fractured surfaces. Owing to its complex crystal structure and insufficient number of slip systems, the deformation modes for polycrystalline Ti₃SiC₂ at room temperature are a combination of delamination and kink-band formation of elongated grains, dislocation slip and intergranular fracture, which result in micro-scale plasticity in polycrystalline Ti₃SiC₂.