Primary Fabrication Processes for Nickel and Iron Aluminides 912194
Alloys based on the intermetallic compounds Ni3Al and Fe3Al have been developed. Intermetallic compounds are characteristically brittle at room temperature, and some are also brittle at elevated temperatures. Nickel-aluminide alloys have been made ductile by alloying with a small amount of boron (200 ppm by weight) and adjusting the aluminum content to 24 at. % or less. Iron-aluminide alloys are ductile when chromium is added (>wt 2%) and the aluminum is adjusted to 28 at. %. These alloys begin ordering upon solidification; therefore, a greater shrinkage must be accommodated during casting. The hot-working temperature “window” for the nickel-aluminide alloy is very narrow; however, the alloy can be cold-worked large amounts. Iron-aluminide alloys have a very broad hot-working temperature range but have limited ductility (<20%) at room temperature. The strength and oxidation resistance of these alloys are such that many potential applications exist. Commercialization is in progress.
