Abstract: Predominantly single-phase bulk samples of Ti_4AlN_3 with a few amounts of TiN and Al_3Ti was successfully synthesized by a hot-pressing method using Ti, Al and TiN powders as starting materials. The phase composition of the sintered samples with different starting composition, sintering temperature and holding time were presented. The results of BEI and EDS show that Ti_4AlN_3 is synthesized with the initial composition of Ti/1.2Al/3TiN at 1400 ℃ for 2 h.The sintered sample is fully dense and well-developed in laminate shape with dimension of 5-10 μm. The relative density of it reachs to 99.3%. Besides, the Vickers hardness and electrical conductivity are 3.4-4.5 GPa and 1.2×10~6 Ω~(-1)·m~(-1), which performs well on machinability and electrical property.

Key words: Ti_4AlN_3;hot-pressing;synthesis;microstructure