Abstract
Through simultaneous field-activated reaction and densification, two- and five-layer graded composites of Nb 5 Si 3 and Nb were formed. The product microstructure consisted of Nb particles in a matrix of Nb 5 Si 3 with the composition ranging from 3.4 to 55.8 vol.% Nb (20–90 mol% Nb) for the five-layer samples. The microhardness decreased with increasing vol.% Nb, from 1199 to 732 Hv over the indicated range. Fracture toughness measured by indentation increased from about 21 to 30 MPa m 1/2 over the composition range of 3.4–36.0 vol.% Nb. Crack blunting and bridging by Nb particles was observed around a microindentation.
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