Fabrication and mechanical properties of (Mo0.9W0.1)(Si0.4Al0.6)(2) composites reinforced by TiC

TiC-(Mo0.9W0.1)(Si0.4Al0.6)(2) composites were prepared from Mo, W, Si, Al and TiC powders via self-propagating high-temperature synthesis and hot pressing. The propagation mode of the combustion synthesis reaction and the influence of different TiC contents (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 vol%) on the mechanical properties of (Mo0.9W0.1)(Si0.4Al0.6)(2) were investigated. The results showed that the combustion propagation mode was steady from 0.00 to 2.06 s and unsteady from 2.06 to 6.45 s. The composites were mainly composed of MoSi2 (C11(b)) and TiC. The bending strength, Vickers hardness, and fracture toughness of the 0-30 vol% TiC-(Mo0.9W0.1)(Si0.4Al0.6)(2) composites were 270-433 MPa, 9.60-14.85 GPa and 6.40-9.73 MPa . m(1/2), respectively. These results indicated that TiC doping could effectively improve the mechanical properties of (Mo0.9W0.1)(Si0.4Al0.6)(2).