Intermetallics are playing an important role in the development of new materials able of sustaining the escalating demands of the aerospace industry. A significant improvement in weight, operating temperatures or mechanical performance is required for materials to be considered as replacements in the most demanding applications. Molybdenum disilicide is one such compound that has potential for high temperature applications. Its most attractive properties are its high melting point (2020°C), reasonable density (6.24 g/cm3), and excellent high temperature oxidation and corrosion resistance. However, low ambient fracture toughness and loss of strength at elevated temperatures have been the most significant limitations to the use of MoSi2 in structural applications.

The more promising solutions for improving the mechanical properties of brittle intermetallics such as MoSi2 are based on the incorporation and control of secondary phases. To date, the artificial introduction of reinforcing phases or their generation via in-situ reactions have been explored.