Reaction Mechanism for SHS of MoSi2 from Mechanically Activated Powder Mixtures

Controlling the Mechanically Activated Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis (MASHS) process is exceedingly important for production of MoSi (2)-based materials with a desired microstructure. Consequently, it seemed essential to carry out Time-Resolved X-ray Diffraction (TRXRD) experiments using an X-ray synchrotron beam (DM2, ESRF Grenoble) coupled with IR thermographic measurements to monitor in situ the structural and thermal evolutions taking place during SHS. The versatility of this technique and new possibilities offered by the design of new sample holders have already been proved. In addition, this work clearly shows that this equipment is perfectly adapted to investigating phase transitions occurring during the MASHS process in the Mo-Si system.