Simultaneous synthesis and consolidation of nanostructured WSi2–TaSi2 composite and its mechanical properties

Nanopowders of W, Ta, and Si were fabricated by high-energy ball milling. A dense nanostructured WSi2–TaSi2 composite was simultaneously synthesized and sintered by the pulsed current activated sintering method within 5 min using mechanically activated powders of W, Ta, and Si. A high-density WSi2–TaSi2 composite was produced under simultaneous application of an 80-MPa pressure and a pulsed current. The hardness and fracture toughness of the nanostructured WSi2–TaSi2 composite were higher than those of monolithic WSi2 or TaSi2. This is believed to suggest that TaSi2 and WSi2 in the composite may deter the propagation of cracks and TaSi2 and WSi2 have a nanocrystalline.