Microstructural characterization of a composite Mo reinforced by 25 at.% TiC

In the scope of cermet development for structural pieces of future nuclear reactors (1000–1650 °C), Mo–TiC25at.% was processed by hot isostatic pressure (HIP) and characterized in term of microstructure and chemical composition. The fabrication resulted in a three-phase material so called core/shell microstructure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses, both coupled with X-ray detection (EDX), allowed to highlight the formation of TiC–Mo15at.% phase at the TiC/Mo interface, in agreement with the phase diagram. The formation mechanisms of this phase are discussed.