Rapid synthesis and consolidation of nanostructured TaSi2–SiC–Si3N4 composite from mechanically activated powders by high-frequency induction-heated combustion

A dense nanostructured 5TaSi2–SiC–Si3N4 composite was synthesized by the high-frequency induction-heated combustion synthesis (HFIHCS) method within 1 min in one step from mechanically activated powders of 4TaN, TaC and 14Si. Simultaneous combustion synthesis and densification were accomplished under the combined effects of the induced current and mechanical pressure. A highly dense 5TaSi2–SiC–Si3N4 composite with relative density of up to 96% was produced under the simultaneous application of a pressure of 60 MPa and the induced current. The average grain size and mechanical properties (hardness and fracture toughness) of the composite were investigated.