Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 February 2013
Deformation behavior of the directionally-solidified MoSi2/Mo5Si3 eutectic composites has been investigated as a function of the average thickness of MoSi2 phase over a temperature range from 900 to 1500°C. The average thickness of both MoSi2 and Mo5Si3 phases in the directionally-solidified ingots with script-lamellar morphologies grown by optical floating zone method decreases with increasing the growth rate. Plastic deformation was observed above 1000°C for all the DS ingots grown at different growth rates when the loading axis is parallel to [1¯10]MoSi2 close to the growth direction. Yield stress decreases monotonically with increasing temperature. Yield stress at 1400°C increases drastically with decreasing the average thickness of MoSi2 phase.