Autonomous crack healing in Cr₂AlC and Ti₂AlC MAX phase

The excellent mechanical properties in combination with the capability to autonomously repair microcracks when exposed to air of high temperatures make certain MAX phase metallo ceramics promising candidate materials for components in a turbine engine, in particular for those components exposed to high temperatures and having the risk of being exposed to erosion due to loose airborne particles being sucked into the engine. Cr2AlC is a member of the family of self healing MAX phases but relatively little is known about its healing behaviour under controlled laboratory conditions or simulated turbine engine conditions as a function of its synthesis, composition and microstructure. The aim of the work as described in this thesis was to study the healing behaviour of
(micro-) cracks formed by erosive damage.