Synthesis and structure evaluation of MoSi2 – Mo5Si3 composite

In order to synthesize MoSi2 – Mo5Si3 composites, pure molybdenum and silicone powders were milled with employing an attritor mill for 20 hr. Mechanically alloyed (MAed) powders were annealed in an atmosphere controlled furnace for 3, 5 and 7 hr at 1100˚C. Metallurgical characteristics of MAed and annealed powders were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) and the obtained results were compared for all prepared samples. The results did not confirm the presence of any related intermetallics after MA. However, MoSi2 and Mo5Si3 were successfully formed during annealing at 1100˚C. The further annealing caused the enhancement of the volume fraction of MoSi2, while that of Mo5Si3 was decreased, as during annealing for 7 hr the volume fraction of Mo5Si3 was negligible.

Keywords:

MoSi2- Mo5Si3 composite , synthesis , mechanical alloying , annealing