LAUSR

Abstract The effect of Fe addition and the moist environment on the high temperature isothermal oxidation behaviors of multiphase Mo76-xSi14B10Fex (x = 0, 0.5, 1 at.%) composites in the range of 1000–1300 °C have been investigated. The microstructure of all the composites with α–Mo solid solution (SS) and eutectic mixture of Mo3Si + Mo5SiB2 phases, has been refined upon Fe addition, which improves the oxidation resistance and reduces the mass loss up to 55% in dry air and 31% in moist air for 24 h exposure. Whereas, the oxidation resistance in moist air improves due to the formation of a protective Fe-rich glassy borosilicate scale, which reduces the vaporization of MoO3 by forming Fe2(MoO4)3. The cross-sectional area of the residual alloy for x = 1 were estimated to be 97% in dry air and 85% in moist air that of unoxidized coupons. The bulk hardness of the as-cast composite is 1031 Hv for x = 1, which reduced only by 6.7% (962 Hv) upon oxidation at 1300 °C in both dry and moist air, showing superior stability of the silicide matrix composites for high temperature application. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy studies were performed to identify the various products of oxidation and to explore the mechanism of protection.