Self-healing behavior in MoSi2/borosilicate glass composite

The self-healing behavior of MoSi2/borosilicate glass composite was investigated by comparing the flexure strength of pre-scratched specimens before and after healing treatment. The post-healing strength partially recovered when healing temperature was higher than 800 °C, and the healing of the scratch was observed after healing treatment at 900 °C and 1400 °C. Two kinds of possible mechanisms were proposed on the basis of morphology and elemental analyses of healing areas. The specimen treated at 900 °C showed a porous healing area and the strength recovered 28.6% resulted from the oxidation of MoSi2 into MoO3 and SiO2. By contrast, the specimen treated at 1400 °C had a dense healing area and the strength recovered 86.9% due to the viscous flow of borosilicate glass.