With a "pinch" of salt - New method of manufacturing MAX phases

Modern materials are often exposed to extraordinary loads. In order to achieve the best results in their field of application, they must combine a wide variety of characteristics.  For example, metals used in an aircraft engine must be highly stable and heat-resistant at the same time as being easy to shape. MAX-phase materials combine these and other qualities. In order to be able to use MAX phases industrially, scientists of the team around JARA-ENERGY member Prof. Olivier Guillon have developed a new manufacturing process.

Temperatures of 1000 degrees are required for the production of MAX phases. In order to protect the raw material from oxidation, a vacuum or a protective atmosphere of argon was previously required. This circumstance resulted in high manufacturing costs.
The new manufacturing process is much more effective: the raw material is coated with a layer of salt and potassium bromide. The coating protects the material from oxidation and can be easily washed off afterwards. In addition, the salt acts as a release agent. The different components do not bond together during the process, which makes it possible to produce fine powder. Powder is ideal for industrial processing.

The results of the studies were recently published in the journal Nature Materials.
Further information and details are available on the website of Forschungszentrum Jülich.