Strength and Toughness of Silicide Matrix Materials Consolidated by Hot Isostatic Pressing

Substantial improvements have been reported in high temperature strength and creep resistance, and room temperature fracture toughness of molybdenum disilicide (MoSi2) reinforced with ductile or brittle reinforcements. The influence of Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) process parameters on the mechanical properties of MoSi2 based alloys was studied. Monolithic MoSi2 powder and MoSi2 powder blended with either niobium powder or silicon carbide whisker reinforcements were consolidated by HIP at 1200 − 1400°C, 207 MPa, and 1 - 4 hrs. The HIP'ed compacts were characterized for compression strength and creep resistance at 1100-1300°C. Fracture toughness was measured on single edge notched rectangular specimens at room temperature. Mechanical properties were correlated with post-HIP microstructural features.