Date of Award
January 2014
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Mechanical Engineering
First Advisor
Surojit Gupta
Abstract
The Mn+1AXn (MAX) phases are thermodynamically stable nanolaminates which display
unusual, and in some cases unique, properties. There currently exist over 60 MAX phases
in the literature. These phases are named because they possess a Mn+1AXn chemistry,
where n is equal to 1, 2, or 3, M is an early transition metal element, A is an A-group
element, and X is carbon and/or nitrogen. MAX phases are layered hexagonal (space
group D4 6h-P63/mmc) with two formula units per unit cell. The MAX phase material
group has high damage tolerance, thermal shock resistance, resistant to creep, lubricious,
readily machinable, and has Vickers hardness values of 2-8 GPa which is anomalously
soft for transitional metal carbides and nitrides. Some of the MAX phases are also
oxidation resistant. The properties of the MAX phases make them very appealing to
scientists and engineers for many different structural applications.
Recommended Citation
Hammann, Thomas Jacob, "Development Of Novel Max Phase Composites" (2014). Theses and Dissertations. 1658.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/1658