Pulsed Current Activated Synthesis and Consolidation of Nanostructured MoSi₂–NbSi₂ Composite and Its Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Nanopowders of Mo, Nb, and Si were fabricated by high-energy ball milling. A dense nanostructured MoSi 2 NbSi 2 composite was rapidly synthesized and sintered by the pulsed current activated heating method within four minutes using mechanically activated powders of Mo, Nb, and Si. A high-density nanostructured MoSi 2 NbSi 2 composite was produced under simultaneous application of an 80-MPa pressure and a pulsed current. The sintering behavior, mechanical properties, and microstructure of the composite were investigated. These fracture toughness and hardness values of the nanostructured 0.5MoSi 2 0.5NbSi 2 composite are higher than those of monolithic MoSi 2 or NbSi 2 .