Sintering of Mo2FeB2 layered cermet containing SiC fibers

In the present investigation Mo2FeB2 based cermet (KH-C-50) and its composi tes containing SiC fibers were sintered in two different atmospheres namely hydrogen and vacuum. It was observed that vacuum sintered samples have rem arkably lower porosities than the hydrogen sintered ones. Two different sin tering cycles were employed for each of the atmosphere and properties of th e material were studied. Introduction of fibers in the composite imparts sh rinkage anisotropy during sintering. The 2 vol.% SiC fiber-containing vacuu m sintered cermets have transverse rupture strength (TRS) similar to straig ht cermet, but sintered at faster heating rate accompanied with a reduction stage. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.