Microstructures of shock-consolidated diamond/silicon composites

Microstructures of the diamond/silicon compact obtained by shock consolidat ion methods were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). Shock treatment was performe d by impacting an iron-flyer plate of 3.2 mm thickness, at impact velocity of 2.3 km s(-1). In the recovered compacts, additive silicon existed in amo rphous carbon layer transformed from diamond, as nano particles of silicon- carbide. It is expected that this nano composite structure contributed to t he improvement of mechanical properties of the recovered compacts. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.