Synthesis and mechanical properties of nanocrystalline MoSi2–SiC composite

Nanocrystalline MoSi2–SiC composite was synthesized by liquid silicon infiltration in nanocrystalline molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) preform, which was synthesized by the solution route. The average crystallite size of MoSi2 and SiC was about 60 nm. The average hardness and fracture toughness obtained were 12 GPa and 4.3 MPa m1/2, respectively. Lower molybdenum silicide (Mo5Si3) and Nowotny’s phase (Mo5Si3C) were absent. The composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and micro-hardness testing.