Abstract
The flexural strength of $MoSi_2$ based composites reinforced with Nb sheets has been investigated, based on the detailed examination of their microstructure and fractured surface. Both sintered density and porosity of Nb/$MoSi_2$ composites were also examined. Nb/$MoSi_2$ composites were fabricated by different conditions such as temperature, applied pressure and its holding time, using a hot-press device. The volume fraction of Nb sheet in this composite system was fixed as 10%. The characterization of Nb/$MoSi_2$ composites were investigated by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope and three point bending test. Nb/$MoSi_2$ composites represented a dense morphology at the interfacial region, accompanying the creation of two types of reaction layer by the chemical reaction of Nb and $MoSi_2$. Nb/$MoSi_2$ composites possessed an excellent density at the fabricating temperature of $1350^{\circ}C$, corresponded to about 95% of theoretical density. The flexural strength of Nb/$MoSi_2$ romposites were greatly affected by the pressure holding time at the same fabricating temperature, owing to the large suppression of porosity in the microstructure. Especially, Nb/$MoSi_2$ composites represented a good flexural strength of about 310 MPa at the fabricating condition of $1350^{\circ}C$, 30MPa and 60min, accompanying the pseudo-ductile fracture behavior by the deformation of Nb sheet and the interfacial delamination.