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Characterization of Structure and Mechanical Properties of MoSi2-SiC Nanolayer Composites

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2011

H. Kung
Affiliation:
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, U.S.A.
T. R. Jervis
Affiliation:
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, U.S.A.
J-P. Hirvonen
Affiliation:
Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo, Finland
M. Nastasi
Affiliation:
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, U.S.A.
T. E. Mitchell
Affiliation:
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, U.S.A.
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Abstract

A systematic study of the structure-mechanical properties relationship is reported for MoSi2-SiC nanolayer composites. Alternating layers of MoSi2 and SiC were synthesized by DCmagnetron and if-diode sputtering, respectively. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy was used to examine three distinct reactions in the specimens when exposed to different annealing conditions: crystallization and phase transformation of MoSi2, crystallization of SiC, and spheroidization of the layer structures. Nanoindentation was employed to characterize the mechanical response as a function of the structural changes. As-sputtered material exhibits amorphous structures in both types of layers and has a hardness of 11GPa and a modulus of 217GPa. Subsequent heat treatment induces crystallization of MoSi2 to form the C40 structure at 500°C and SiC to form the a structure at 700°C. The crystallization process is directly responsible for the hardness and modulus increase in the multilayers. A hardness of 24GPa and a modulus of 340GPa can be achieved through crystallizing both MoSi2 and SiC layers. Annealing at 900°C for 2h causes the transformation of MoSi2 into the Cllb structure, as well as spheroidization of the layering to form a nanocrystalline equiaxed microstructure. A slight degradation in hardness but not in modulus is observed accompanying the layer break-down.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1994

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