Synthesis and Properties of MoSi2-MoB-SiC Ceramics

MoB and SiC particulate reinforced MoSi2 matrix composites were synthesized in situ from Mo, Si, and B4C powder mixtures by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS). The SHS MoSi2-MoB-SiC products were vacuum hot-pressed (HPed) at 1400 degrees C for 90 min to fabricate high-density (> 97.5% relative density) bulk composites. Microstructure refinement and improvements in the Vickers hardness and fracture toughness of the HPed composites were observed with increasing B4C content in the reaction mixture. The HPed composite of composition MoSi2-0.4MoB-0.1SiC exhibited grain size of 1-5 m, Vickers hardness of 12.5 GPa, bending strength of 537 MPa, and fracture toughness of 3.8 MPa.m(1/2). These excellent mechanical properties indicate that MoB and SiC particulate reinforced MoSi2 composites could be promising candidates for structural applications.