Laser irradiation of SiC-MoSi2 composite ceramics

The influence of continuous IR laser irradiation (? = 1064 nm, P = 240 mW) on SiC-MoSi2 composite ceramics was investigated by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray microanalysis. The irradiation of specimens was carried out in air. It was established that, due to heating of the surface under laser irradiation, oxidation of SiC and MoSi2 and sublimation of SiO (SiO2) and MoO3 take place. Depending on the content of the components in the ceramics and the irradiation time, SiO2 or MoO3 layers form on the surface or disappear from it. For a long irradiation time, the oxidation and cleaning of the surface (sublimation of oxides) are cyclic in character.