In-Flight Carburization of Molybdenum Disilicide Powders by an Induction Plasma

In‐flight carburization of MoSi2 powders has been performed in an argon–H2–CH4 induction plasma. CH4 was used as the powder carrier gas, and it reacted with MoSi2 powders under the high‐temperature conditions of the plasma. Carbon and α‐SiC were the major reaction products of the in‐flight carburized MoSi2 powders. The silicon carbide formed through nucleation and subsequent growth in the liquid phase. The influence of the induction plasma power level, reactor pressure, and quantity of CH4 on the carburization efficiency was investigated through a Box–Behnken experimental design. Under the optimal conditions achieved in this investigation, ∼8.0 wt% of carbon was incorporated into the MoSi2 powder particles.