Elemental powders of chromium and silicon have been mixed to give the desired composition of Cr-66.66 at%Si and milled in a planetary ball mill under an argon atmosphere. CrSi2 has been synthesized in situ during ball milling. The obtained powder milled for 360ks consisting nano-sized Cr, Si and CrSi2 enables us to prepare dense compacts at the consolidating temperature 1290K which is about 170K lower than that of the other milled powders for various times. This is due to a decrease of powder particles and grains. Power factor of Cr-66.66 at%Si compact prepared by mechanical alloying and pulse current sintering is higher than that of other silicides below 650K, and shows the maximum value of 1.4×10-3 (W⋅K-2⋅m-1) at 550K.
