Simultaneous Synthesis and Densification of MoSi2 by Field‐Activated Combustion

A method to simultaneously synthesize and consolidate MoSi{sub 2} from powders of Mo and Si was investigated. Combustion synthesis was carried out under the combined effect of an electric field and mechanical pressure. Highly dense molybdenum silicide up to (99.2%) was produced from elemental powders in one step. Minor amounts of Mo{sub 5}Si{sub 3} were present at the boundaries of MoSi{sub 2} grains in the interior of samples made from stoichiometric reactants. The addition of 2.5 mol% Si excess, however, resulted in Mo{sub 5}Si{sub 3}-free, dense MoSi{sub 2} products.