Effect of High-Energy Milling on Magnesiothermic Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis in a Mixture of SiO2, C, and Mg Reactant Powders

Abstract

A mixture of SiO₂, C, and Mg powders is mechanically milled in a planetary ball mill during different milling times of 60, 90, 120, and 150 min. The milled powders are then used in a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) reaction to produce the Si–SiC composite. The thermal properties of the milled powders are determined by using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. The chemical composition and microstructure of both as-synthesized products and as-leached powders are characterized by the x-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results show that an increase in the milling times of the mixture of the reactant powders has a significant effect on the thermal properties, diffusion processes, and SHS reaction mechanisms, as well as on the phase conversion and the final yield of the products.