Synthesis and Preparation of Molybdenum Disilicide Powders for Using in Thermal Spraying Process

In this study, in order to produce intermetallic compound of MoSi2, pure molybdenum and silicon powders were milled using and attritor mill for 20 hrs with the molar ratio of Mo:Si being equal to 1:2. Mechanically alloyed powders were annealed in an atmosphere controlled furnace at 1100˚C for different times. The result of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated formation of pure MoSi2 which was achieved by mechanical alloying for 20 hr followed by annealing for 7hrs at 1100˚C. Since the produced powders were extremely fine and not suitable for thermal spraying, they were agglomerated by carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binder and were meshed. This allowed a better flow of the powders and indicated a suitable flow for thermal spraing.