Isothermal section at 1673 K of the Mo–Ru–Si diagram and crystallographic structures of ternary phases

Efforts to improve the high temperature behavior of MoSi2 in oxidizing environments led to the investigation of the Mo–Ru–Si phase diagram. The isothermal section at 1673 K was determined by X-ray diffraction, optical and scanning electron microscopies and EPMA. Five new silicides were identified and their crystallographic structure was characterized using conventional and synchrotron X-ray as well as neutron powder diffraction. Mo15Ru35Si50, denoted α-phase, is of FeSi-type structure, space group P213, a=4.7535 (5) Å, Dx=7.90 g. cm−3, Bragg R=7.13. Mo60Ru30Si10 is the ordered extension of the Mo70Ru30 σ-phase with space group P42/mnm, a=9.45940(8) Å, c=4.94273(5) Å, Dx=6.14 g. cm−3, Bragg R=5.75.