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

•A synthesis and consolidation of nanostructured WSi2–TaSi2 composite was achieved.•A highly dense nanostructured WSi2–TaSi2 composite was obtained.•These mechanical properties of the composite are higher than those of WSi2 or TaSi2.•TaSi2 and WSi2 in the composite may deter the propagation of cracks.

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.

Graphical abstractFE-SEM image of 0.5WSi2–0.5TaSi2 composite sintered at 1200 °C.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.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide