Phase Stability, Structure and Thermodynamics of Modified Ni- and Fe-Aluminides

The Ni-aluminides are integral constituents of thermal barrier coatings applied over Ni-based superalloys. These aluminides provide oxidation-resistance by forming a protective α–Al2O3surface layer. The Pt-modified β–NiAl bond coat has been developed with an impetus to increase the service-life of Ni-based superalloys. The Pt-modified β–NiAl bond coat significantly improves the oxidation-resistance of superalloys. An interdiffusion zone containing topologically closed packed phases develops at the bond coat/superalloy interface. This eventually leads to Al-lean γ′–Ni3Al transformation, whose oxidation resistance is inferior to that of β–NiAl. The Pt-group metals Ir and Ru delay this transformation and impart creep-resistance to the bond coat. Recent investigations demonstrate that alloying with transition metals such as Cr, Mo and Fe enhance the mechanical strength. The functional stability of bond coat-superalloy assembly counts on the interfacial reaction and associated local structural variations which is a function of bond coat composition. This chapter elucidates the effect of various alloying elements on phase constitutions, crystallographic structural stability and thermodynamics of Ni-and Fe-aluminides to engineer a prospective bond coat.