Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
Pressureless reaction sintering was investigated as a fabrication method for composites composed of a MoSi 2 based matrix with up to 20 vol% SiC reinforcement. Up to 10 vol% of a number of reactants including Mo+2Si, CrSi2, and Cr+2Si were utilized. In nearly all cases the reactants greatly enhanced pure matrix densification at temperatures as low as 1400°C. The composites containing SiC reinforcement did not densify nearly as well. For some reactants it appears that an adverse reaction occurred between the SiC and the additives resulting in swelling.