Properties of CNTs/MoSi2 composites prepared by spark plasma sintering

Molybdenum disilicide(MoSi_2) based composites with various contents of carbon nanotubes(CNTs) were fabricated by spark plasma sintering(SPS) in vacuum under a pressure of 25 MPa.The composites obtained under a sintering temperature of 1500 °C and time of 10 min exhibited optimum mechanical properties at room temperature in terms of fracture toughness and transverse rupture strength.MoSi_2 based composite with 6.0% CNTs(volume fraction) had the highest fracture toughness,transverse rupture strength and hardness,which were improved by about 25.7%,51.5% and 24.4% respectively,as compared with pure MoSi_2.A Mo_(4.8)Si_3C_(0.6) phase was detected in CNTs/MoSi_2 composites by both X-ray diffraction(XRD) method and microstructure analysis with scanning electron microscopy(SEM).It is believed that the fine grains and well dispersed small Mo_(4.8)Si_3C_(0.6) particles had led to a higher hardness and strength of CNTs/MoSi_2 composites because of their particle pullout,crack deflection and micro-bridging effects.

Self-propagating high temperature synthesis of MoSi_2 matrix composites

MoSi2 is presently regarded as the most important material for electrical heating and as one with huge potential for high temperature structural uses. MoSi2 and MoSi2 matrix composites were prepared by self-propagating high temperature synthesis （SHS）. Pure MoSi2 was obtained and a compound of MoSi2 and WSi2was synthesized in the form of predominant solid solution （Mo,W）Si2. By adding aluminum of 5.5 at.% to Mo-Si, the crystal structure of MoSi2 changed into a mixture of tetragonal Cllb MoSi2and hexagonal C40 Mo（Si,Al）2. The （Mo,W）Si2-Mo（Si,Al）2-W（Si,Al）2 composite materials were synthesized by adding aluminum of 5.5 at.% to Mo-W-Si. However, if the amount of the added aluminum was not larger than 2.5 at.%, it did not have any significant effect. SHS is an effective technology for synthesis of MoSi2 and MoSi2 matrix composites.

Microstructure, sintering behavior and mechanical properties of SiC/MoSi_2 composites by spark plasma sintering

SiC/MoSi2 composites were synthesized at different temperatures by spark plasma sintering using Mo, Si and SiC powders as raw materials. The phase composition, microstructure and mechanical properties of the as-prepared composites were investigated and the sintering behavior was also discussed. Results show that SiC/MoSi2 composites are composed of MoSi2, SiC and trace amount of Mo4.8Si3C0.6 phase and exhibit a fine-grain texture. During the synthesis process, there was an evolution from solid phase sintering to liquid phase sintering. When sintered at 1600 °C, the SiC/MoSi2 composites present the most favorable mechanical properties, the Vickers hardness, bending strength and fracture toughness are 13.4 GPa, 674 MPa and 5.1 MPa·m^1/2, respectively, higher 44%, 171%, 82% than those of monolithic MoSi2. SiC can withstand the applied stress as hard phase and retard the rapid propagation of cracks as second phase, which are beneficial to the improved mechanical properties of Si C/MoSi2 composites.

Fabrication of MoSi_2-SiC Composites by a Spark Plasma Sintering Method

MolybdenUmdisilicidepeoSi,)hashighmeltingpoint（2293K）,relativelylowdensity（6.249/cm3）,abrittle-to-ductiletemper;tabout1173K[l]andoutstandingoxidationresistance[2M].Forthisreason,thedisilicidematrixcompositesarebeingconsideredasoneofthemoStPromisingc...

TOUGHENING OF IN SITU SYNTHESIZED MoSi_2-SiC COMPOSITE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE

The in situ synthesized MoSi2-SiC composite is proved to be of higher fracture toughness than the monolithic MoSi2. The TEM and HREM study reveals that the interface between MoSi2/SiC is of direct atomic bonding without any amorphous glassy phase, such the SiO2 structure. Based on the fractography and the observation of crack propagation path from indentation, it is concluded that the toughening of such composite at room temperature can be attributed to the high interfacial binding energy, the refinement of the MoSi2 matrix and the deflection and bridging behavior in the crack propagation.

Effect of MoSi_2 content on dielectric and mechanical properties of MoSi_2/Al_2O_3 composite coatings

Molybdenum disilicide （MoSi2） sheath and aluminum oxide （Al2O3） core blended powders were fabricated by spray drying. A derived coating material was produced for the application as microwave absorbers using the as prepared powders by atmospheric plasma spray （APS） technology. The effects of MoSi2/Al2O3 mass ratio on the dielectric and physical mechanical properties of the composite coatings were investigated. When the MoSi2 content of the composites increases from 0 to 45%, the flexure strength and fracture toughness improve from 198 to 324 MPa and 3.05 to 4.82 MPa-m1/2 then decline to 310 MPa and 4.67 MPa-m1/2, respectively. The dielectric loss tangent increases with increasing MoSi2 content, and the real part of permittivity decreases conversely over the frequency range of 8.2-12.4 GHz. These effects are due to the agglomeration of early molten MoSi2 particles and the increase of the electrical conductivity with increasing MoSi2 content.

Effect of La_2O_3 on the wear behavior of MoSi_2 at high temperature

Wear behaviors of MoSi2 doped with La2O3 against SiC under different loads at 1000 oC in air were investigated by using an XP-5 type high temperature friction and wear tester. The worn surfaces and phases of the samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and X-ray diffraction, respectively. Results showed that the addition of La2O3 could obviously improve wear resistance of MoSi2. Because of the formation of MoO3 phase on the worn surface, La2O3/MoSi2 composite mainly exhibited oxidation and abrasive wear, which was different from the wear form of MoSi2 such as adhesion, oxidation and abrasion.