Analysis of milling energy in synthesis and formation mechanisms of molybdenum disilicide by mechanical alloying

Abstract The synthesis and formation of MoSi 2 by mechanical alloying (MA) of the Mo–Si powder mixtures, with the molar ratio of Mo:Si being equal to 1:2, has been investigated. Ball-milling experiments were conducted under different conditions such as rotation speed, ball-powder weight ratio, milling time and charging volume. The mechanically alloyed powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction. The milling energy was calculated by using a collision model and the milling energy maps were attained. Results showed that when the effective extensive factory is above 1.06 J/g s, the formation mechanism of MoSi 2 by mechanical alloying is SHS (self-propagating high-temperature synthesis). Otherwise, when it is below 0.917 J/g s, the formation mechanism of MoSi 2 is a diffusion solution. For the synthesis of MoSi 2 , the milling energy maps indicated the total milling energy required for the beginning, ending of crystalline MoSi 2 phase formation and the beginning of amorphous MoSi 2 phase formation.