Effect of diluent on the synthesis of molybdenum disilicide by mechanically-induced self-propagating reaction

The effect of the addition of diluent to Mo-Si system on the formation of MoSi2 by mechanically-induced self-propagating reaction was investigated in a high-energy ball mill. MoSi2 intermetallic was added as diluent to Mo-Si powder mixture. The structure and morphology of the reaction product was analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The diluent decreased the adiabatic temperature, increased the ignition temperature and modified the Mo/Si reactants interface. Therefore, the incubation period of mechanically-induced self-propagating reaction was extended from 90 min to 140 min with the addition of diluent from 0 wt% to 10 wt% to Mo-Si powder mixture. The extended milling time reduced the size of agglomerated particles and fine MoSi2 product was obtained.