Interfacial modification and impact properties of Nb/MoSi2 laminate composites by the addition of ZrO2, NbSi2, and SiC particles

In this study, the results of a thermodynamical estimation indicate that the impact properties of Nb/MoSi2 laminate composites can be improved by suppressing the interfacial reaction. The effects of addition of SiC, NbSi2, and ZrO2 on the impact properties and interfacial reaction of Nb/MoSi2 laminate composites are also examined. Laminate composites, which comprise alternate layers of matrix mixture and Nb foil, were fabricated by the hot press process. Addition of ZrO2 particle is clearly demonstrated to increase both the impact value and the sintered density of Nb/MoSi2 laminate composites. The thickness of the interfacial reaction layer in Nb/MoSi2 laminate composites dramatically decreases with increasing volume fraction of ZrO2 particle. The suppression of the interfacial reaction is caused by the formation of ZrSiO4 in the MoSi2-ZrO2 matrix mixture. In addition, it appears that the reduction of the reaction layer promotes the plastic deformation of Nb foil and the interfacial delamination in laminate composites.