Mechanosynthesis of molybdenum carbides by ball milling at room temperature

β-Mo2C and high temperature phase η-Mo3C2 were mechanosynthesised by ball milling mixtures (MoO3 + 2Al + xC) with different molar graphite contents (x = 0.5, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2.0) at room temperature. The experimental results and thermodynamic calculations reveal that the mechanosynthesis reactions were mechanically induced self-propagating reaction (MSR). The effects of graphite content on the phase constitution of the resultants were discussed. The structure and thermal stability of the molybdenum carbides were also studied.