In-situ preparation of SiC–MoSi2 composite by microwave reaction sintering

A 20% volume SiC reinforced MoSi2 composite has been successfully in-situ prepared by precisely controlling the microwave reaction sintering process. After sintering, a uniform dispersion of SiC particles was obtained in the MoSi2 matrix from the reaction of Mo, Si and C powders. The sintered product is a composition of MoSi2, Mo4.8Si3C0.6 and SiC. The relative density, flexural strength, Vickerʹs hardness and fracture toughness of the composite are 91.5%, 251.29 MPa, 7.86 GPa and 8.17 MPa m1/2, respectively. We found the heating procedure is critical in the microwave reaction sintering process to obtain dense SiC–MoSi2 composites.