Nanosized Powders of Solid Solutions Formed by Group IV–VI Transition Metal Disilicides

Solid solutions formed by transition metal disilicides have properties that surpass the properties of simple silicides, making them promising for many industrial applications. Among the manufacturing methods, mechanical synthesis occupies a particular place as it allows nanosized powders to be produced without substantial energy inputs. The mechanism of reactions that occur in the mechanochemical reactor is studied to control the process and obtain products with predetermined properties. Solid solutions based on chromium and molybdenum disilicides have been used as an example to examine the features of their mechanochemical synthesis. Refractory compounds have been found to form through different mechanisms depending on the properties of reaction products. The experimental results allow one to establish, even before the experiment, the mechanism whereby the compounds form and choose conditions for the products to acquire the predetermined composition and particle size.