Phase stability, swelling, microstructure and strength of Ti₃SiC₂-TiC ceramics after low dose neutron irradiation

M_n+1AX_n (MAX) phase Ti₃SiC₂ materials were neutron irradiated at ∼400, ∼630, and 700 °C to a fluence of ∼2 × 10²⁵ n/m² (E > 0.1 MeV). After irradiation at ∼400 °C, anisotropic c-axis dilation of ∼1.5% was observed. Room temperature strength was reduced from 445 ± 29 MPa to 315 ± 33 MPa and the fracture surfaces showed flat facets and transgranular cracks instead of typical kink-band deformation and bridging ligaments. XRD phase analysis indicated an increase of 10–15 wt% TiC. After irradiation at ∼700 °C there were no lattice parameter changes, ∼5 wt% decomposition to TiC occurred, and strength was 391 ± 71 MPa and 378 ± 31 MPa. The fracture surfaces indicated kink-band based deformation but with lesser extent of delamination than as-received samples. Ti₃SiC₂ appears to be radiation tolerant at ∼400 °C, and increasingly radiation resistant at ∼630–700 °C, but a higher temperature may be necessary for full recovery.