Synthesis of MoSi2–TiC nanocomposite powder via mechanical alloying and subsequent annealing

MoSi2–30 wt.% TiC nanocomposite powder was successfully synthesized by ball milling and following heat treatment. Effect of milling time and annealing temperature were investigated. The products synthesis and reactions progress were characterized by XRD. Morphology and microstructure of milled powders were monitored by SEM and TEM, respectively. Results showed that the synthesis of this composite begins after 10 h of milling and progresses gradually up to 30 h of milling. MoSi2–TiC composite was completely synthesized after annealing of 30 h milled powder at 900 °C. On the basis of Reitveld refinement method, the mean grain size and microstrain of 13.2 nm and 0.44% were obtained, respectively for 30 h milled powder that is in consistent with TEM image. In the spite of grain growth and strain release, this nanocomposite powder maintained its nanostructure after annealing.