Rapid consolidation of nanostructured TaSi2 from mechanochemically synthesized powder by high frequency induction heated sintering

Nanopowder of TaSi2 was synthesized from Ta and 2Si during high energy ball milling for 20 h. Dense nanostructured TaSi2 was consolidated by high frequency induction heated sintering method within 2 min from mechanically activated powders of TaSi2. Highly dense TaSi2 with relative density of up to 98% was produced under simultaneous application of a 80 MPa pressure and the induced current. The average grain size and hardness of the compound were investigated.