Elevated temperature strengthening of synthesized in situ MoSi2-SiC composite

The effects of SiC volume fraction on yield strength and flow of synthesized MoSi2-SiC composite synthesized within the temperature range between 1000 and 1400 °C were investigated by compressive tests. The results show that the high temperature strength of the composite is significantly higher than that of monolithic MoSi2. With increasing SiC volume fraction, the yield strength and flow stress of composite increase. The relationship between yield strength σy and inter-particle spacing λs follows equation as σy = σo + kλs-1/2. It is suggested that increase in strength at elevated temperature is resulted from interphase strengthening.