Effect of starting composition on formation of MoSi2–SiC nanocomposite powder via ball milling

MoSi2–SiC nanocomposite powders were successfully synthesized by ball milling Mo, Si and graphite elemental powders. Effects of milling time and annealing temperature were also investigated. The composite formation and phase transformation were monitored by X-ray diffraction. The microstructure of milled powders was studied by SEM, TEM and XRD peak profile analysis. Formation of this composite was completed after 10 and 20 h of milling for 25%SiC and 50%SiC, respectively. High temperature polymorph (HTP) of MoSi2 was obtained at the end of milling (20 h). On the other hand, annealing led to transformation of HTP to low temperature polymorph (LTP) of MoSi2. Mo5Si3 was formed during annealing as a product of a reaction between MoSi2 and excess graphite. Mean grain size <50 nm was obtained for 20 h milled sample on the basis of peak profile analysis and TEM images.