The strength to weight ratio and oxidation resistance of NiAl make this ordered intermetallic, with some modifications, an attractive candidate to compete with many superalloys for high temperature applications. Recent studies have shown that the inherent brittleness of many polycrystalline intermetallics can be overcome by micro and macroalloying. It has also been found that the high temperature mechanical properties of NiAl can be enhanced through the addition of Nb by powder metallurgical techniques forming a dispersed second phase through interdiffusion in a polycrystalline matrix. A drop in the flow stress is observed however in a NiAl-2 at.% Nb alloy after 0.2 % strain during constant strain rate hot compression testing at 1025°C. The object of this investigation was to identify the second phase and to determine the cause of the flow stress drop.
Experimental and theoretical investigation of precipitate coarsening rate in Z-phase strengthened steels
