Method for improving ceramic fiber reinforced molybdenum disilicide composites

In a process for producing a ceramic fiber reinforced molybdenum disilicide composite, the improvement comprising adding to the molybdenum disilicide from about 5 to about 60 volume percent continuous reinforcing fiber selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide and aluminum oxide, and modifying the coefficient of thermal expansion of said molybdenum disilicide to approximate that of said reinforcing fiber, by adding to said composite from about 15 to about 60 volume percent particulate modifying agent when said fiber is silicon carbide, and from about 5 to about 20 volume percent particulate modifying agent when said fiber is aluminum oxide, said modifying agent being in each instance selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, silicon nitride, boron nitride, silica, and mixtures thereof.

In a process for producing a ceramic fiber reinforced molybdenum disilicide composite, the improvement comprising adding to the molybdenum disilicide from about 30 to about 40 volume percent silicon carbide continuous reinforcing fiber, and modifying the coefficient of thermal expansion of said molybdenum disilicide to approximate that of said reinforcing fiber, by adding from about 30 to about 60 volume percent particulate silicon carbide.

In a process for producing a ceramic fiber reinforced molybdenum disilicide composite, the improvement comprising adding to the molybdenum disilicide from about 30 to about 40 volume percent single crystal aluminum oxide continuous reinforcing fiber, and modifying the coefficient of thermal expansion of said molybdenum disilicide to approximate that of said reinforcing fiber, by adding about 10 volume percent particulate modifying agent selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, silicon nitride, and mixtures thereof.