The current concern about these materials (MoSi2 and NbSi2) focuses on their low fracture toughness below theductile-brittle transition temperature. To improve the mechanical properties of these materials, the fabrication of nanostructuredand composite materials has been found to be effective. Nanomaterials frequently possess high strength, high hardness, excellentductility and toughness, and more attention is being paid to their potential application. In this study, nanopowders of Mo, Nb,and Si were fabricated by high-energy ball milling. A dense nanostructured MoSi2-NbSi2 composite was simultaneouslysynthesized and sintered within two minutes by high-frequency induction heating method using mechanically activated powdersof Mo, Nb, and Si. The high-density MoSi2-NbSi2 composite was produced under simultaneous application of 80MPa pressureand an induced current. The sintering behavior, mechanical properties, and microstructure of the composite were investigated.The average hardness and fracture toughness values obtained were 1180kg/mm2 and 3MPa·m1/2, respectively. These fracturetoughness and hardness values of the nanostructured MoSi2-NbSi2 composite are higher than those of monolithic MoSi2 orNbSi2.

• Kang, Hyun-Su(Division of Advanced Materials Engineering, Research Center of Advanced Materials Development, Chonbuk National University)
• Shon, In-Jin( Division of Advanced Materials Engineering, Research Center of Advanced Materials Development, Chonbuk National University) | Shon, In-Jin