Key developments in high temperature structural silicides

Significant progress has been made in the past few years in both the scientific understanding of high temperature structural silicides and in their technological development. This overview highlights key aspects of this structural silicide research and development, in the areas of materials, composites, and applications. Silicide materials discussed are MoSi2, Mo5Si3, Mo<5Si3C<1, Ti5Si3, and C40 type silicides. Results on MoSi2–Si3N4, MoSi2–SiC, MoSi2–Al2O3, and MoSi2–Si3N4–SiC composites are summarized. Finally, selected applications in glass processing, wear resistance, diesel engine glow plugs, and aerospace components are described.