Consolidation and mechanical properties of nanostructured MoSi2-SiC-Si3N4 from mechanically activated powder by high frequency induction heated sintering

▶ Using the high-frequency induction heated sintering method, the nanostructured MoSi2-SiC-Si3N4 was consolidated using the mechanically activated powders of Mo2N, Mo2C and Si within 2 min. ▶ The average grain sizes of MoSi2, SiC and Si3N4 prepared by this method were about 40, 70 and 80 nm, respectively. ▶ The average hardness and fracture toughness values obtained were 1420 kg/mm2 and 4.5 MPa m1/2, respectively. ▶ These fracture toughness and hardness values of nanostructured 10MoSi2-SiC-Si3N4 are higher than those of monolithic MoSi2.