MSE PRO Niobium Aluminum Carbide (Nb₄AlC₃) MAX Phase Micron-Powder

MSE PRO™ Niobium Aluminum Carbide (Nb₄AlC₃) MAX Phase Micron-Powder

• Chemical Name: Niobium Aluminum Carbide (Nb₄AlC₃)
• CAS Number: 12069-94-2
• Product Number: 1g (PO6728); 5g (PO6729)
• Appearance: Black Powder
• Particle Size: 1-6μm
• Purity: 90 wt.%

Applications

Niobium Aluminum Carbide (Nb₄AlC₃) belongs to the family of M_n+1AX_n (MAX) phases with more than 80 members. These are layered, machinable, nanolaminated ternary carbides, nitrides and borides, where M is an early transition metal, A is an A-group element, mainly from groups 13–16 and X is C or N or B. These compounds possess hexagonal crystal structure with space group P6₃/mmc (space group number: 194), where M atoms are in a near closed packed arrangement and are intercalated with A-group atomic layers, with the X-atoms residing in the octahedral sites between the M layers. These atomic arrangements give the MAX phases an effective laminated layered structure that leads to the naming of the MAX phase as nanolaminates. MAX phases possess a unique combination of properties, both metallic and ceramic in nature due to the layered structure. Metallic properties can include good thermal and electrical conductivities, good thermal shock resistance, excellent damage tolerance, and good machinability. Ceramic properties include low density, elastic rigidity, oxidation and creep resistance, and the ability to maintain the strength up to very high temperatures.

Beside the good damage tolerance, excellent machinability and high elastic stiffness shared by other MAX phases. Nb₄AlC₃ is featured by high-temperature mechanical stability. Its Young's modulus loses only 21% up to 1580 °C, and its flexural strength remains up to 1400 °C without any reduction. As a comparison, the mechanical properties of other MAX phases, such as the notable Ti₂AlC, Ti₃AlC₂ and Ti₃SiC₂, are not so excellent at high temperatures. They show a rapid degradation of mechanical properties above 1000 °C. Therefore, among the currently discovered MAX phases, Nb₄AlC₃ is one of the most promising candidates for high-temperature structural materials.

Notes: More detailed product information including SDS, certificate of analysis (COA), lead time and volume pricing are available upon request. Please contact MSE Supplies if you need bulk pricing. 

MSE Supplies also offers Nb₄AlC₃ dispersions. Please contact us for quote.

References

1. Nb₄AlC₃: A new compound belonging to the MAX phases. Scripta Materialia 57, no. 10 (2007): 893-896.

2. Physical and mechanical properties of highly textured polycrystalline Nb₄AlC₃ ceramic. Science and Technology of Advanced Materials (2011).

3. Enhanced mechanical properties of W-doped Nb₄AlC₃ ceramics. Ceramics International 44, no. 16 (2018): 19135-19142.

4. Synthesis of Ti₃AlC₂ ceramic by high-energy ball milling of elemental powders of Ti, Al and C. journal of materials processing technology 209, no. 2 (2009): 871-875.