Mechanical properties of hot isostatically pressed zirconia (2 mol% yttria)-reinforced molybdenum disilicide composite

Dense sintered composites of ZrO2(2 mol% Y2O3) and MoSi2 have been fabricated by hot isostatic pressing for 2 h at 1400 °C under 196 MPa. The ZrO2 particles in the composites consist of only t-ZrO2. There is no reaction between ZrO2 and MoSi2. Microstructures and mechanical properties are examined, in connection with increased ZrO2 content. The fracture toughness and bending strength of the composite with 40 mol% ZrO2 addition are 6.18 MPa · m12 and 1034 MPa, respectively.