Abstract: A process in which a mixture containing aluminum, iron, and one or more metallic oxides is used. This mixture is formed into a shaped body, the shaped body is preheated to a temperature of from about 50 to about 400 degrees centigrade, and the preheated material is then ignited, causing a highly-exothermic reaction to occur. During this reaction, aluminum reacts with metal oxide(s) and the green body is densified.

Abstract: A process for preparing molybdenum disilicide or a molybdenum disilicide/alumina composition is provided. In the first step of this process, a mixture containing molybdenum oxide, silica, aluminum and/or magnesium, and inorganic diluent is provided; the mixture may also contain organic surfactant and/or organic binder. In the second step of the process, the mixture is ignited, thereby causing a self-propagating reaction to occur. Thereafter, the combusted product is cooled and then washed with water, preferably until it contains less than about 0.1 percent of inorganic diluent. When the combusted product contains magnesia, the magnesia is leached from the product by treatment with nitric acid and sodium hydroxide.