Fabrication and mechanical properties of monolithic MoSi2 by spark plasma sintering

Fine MoSi2 powders containing a small amount of Mo5Si3 have been prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS), followed by spark plasma sintering (SPS) for 10 min at 1200–1500°C and 30 MPa. Dense MoSi2 materials, in which the grain size is ∼7.5 μm, have been fabricated at 1300°C. They exhibit excellent mechanical properties: Vicker’s hardness Hv (10.6 GPa), fracture toughness KIC (4.5 MPa m1/2), and bending strength σb (560 MPa). The strength of 325 MPa can be retained up to 1000°C.