Combustion synthesis of Zr-Si intermetallic compounds

SHS experiments have been performed starting from the elemental composition s corresponding to all the Zr-Si intermetallic compounds. Analysis of the p roducts shows that the Si rich compositions give, as the major product comp onents, ZrSi2 and ZrSi, and the Zr rich composition the high temperature ph ase Zr5Si3. Melting of silicon has been identified as the triggering step f or the combustion process. Once initiated the reaction involves solid (Zr)- liquid (Si) or liquid-liquid interactions. The phase formation is then cont rolled by kinetic parameters rather than thermodynamic ones. Solid-solid in teraction can play an important role in the pre- and post-front regions; th ese have been studied through diffusion couples experiments. (C) 1999 Elsev ier Science S.A. All rights reserved.