High temperature molybdenum matrix composites

The ability to decrease the oxidation rate of molybdenum in oxide/molybdenum composites was discovered some years ago; hence, these composites have emerged as an important family of heat-resistant materials. To this family, silicide/molybdenum composites have recently been added. Both types of composites are produced by internal crystallisation, which allows the crystallisation of a large number of oxide and silicide fibres in cylindrical channels in a molybdenum blank. This paper provides a brief review of recent findings of the author's team, mainly concerning the strength and damage tolerance of both types of composites. Some data on the creep and oxidation resistance of the composites are also presented.