THE USE OF AN ELECTRIC-FIELD AS A PROCESSING PARAMETER IN THE COMBUSTION SYNTHESIS OF CERAMICS AND COMPOSITES

The imposition of an electric field is shown to activate self-propagat ing combustion reactions and thus makes possible the synthesis of a va riety of ceramic and composite phases. Experimental observations and m odeling studies indicated that activation is accomplished by the local ized effect of the current. The relationship between wave propagation and the direction of the applied field was investigated. The synthesis of composites by field-activated combustion synthesis (FACS) was demo nstrated. It was shown that the imposition of a field during the combu stion synthesis of MoSi2 results in a decrease in the product particle size. The results suggest that the field can be used as a processing parameter in self-propagating combustion synthesis.