2Al₄C₃SiC: a new intermediate phase in the Al–Si–C system

The new phase, as prepared from the high-purity elements, is stable between room temperature and 2270 K, but decomposes between 2270 and 2370 K. The crystal symmetry is hexagonal, with a₀ = 3.3127(7), c₀ = 19.242(4) Å, V = 182.9(1) ų, Z = 1, D_x = 2.977(2) g cm⁻³, Cu Kα radiation (λ = 1.540600 Å). The JCPDS Diffraction File No. for 2Al₄C₃.SiC is 35-1499.