Stability and wettability of ternary carbide Mo2Ga2C in molten metals

Mo 2 Ga 2 C is a novel member of MAX phases, which is a family of ternary carbide/nitride with layered structure. The stability and wettability of Mo 2 Ga 2 C in molten metals are crucial for the application of Mo 2 Ga 2 C in the field of composite materials. In this work, the stability and wettability of Mo 2 Ga 2 C in three molten metals (Pb, Sn and Zn) were investigated. Mo 2 Ga 2 C was mixed with metal powders and annealed at different temperatures under vacuum. At 700 °C, Mo 2 Ga 2 C was not stable in any of the three molten metals. The decomposition of Mo 2 Ga 2 C was affected by the type of metal matrix as well as the reaction temperature. Mo 2 Ga 2 C decomposed at 550 °C in Pb, at 450 °C in Sn, or at 650 °C–750 °C in Zn. To characterized the wettability of these metals with Mo 2 Ga 2 C, the contact angle of molten metals with Mo 2 Ga 2 C at 650 °C were measured, which are 103° for Pb, 126° for Sn and 0° for Zn, respectively. Mo 2 Ga 2 C has good wettability with Zn and is not wetted by Pb and Sn.