Microstructure and properties of Co–Al porous intermetallics fabricated by thermal explosion reaction

Abstract

Abstract Co–Al porous intermetallics were fabricated by an efficient and energy-saving method of thermal explosion (TE) reactions. The effects of Co/Al molar ratios on the temperature profiles, phase compositions, expansion behaviors, density, pore characteristics, and oxidation resistance were investigated. When the target furnace temperature was set at 700°C, there was an obvious exothermic peak in the temperature profiles. The ignition temperatures were in the range of 600–645°C, and the combustion temperatures were in the range of 984–1,421°C. Co–Al porous intermetallics had the open porosity of 27–43%, and the pores were from nonfully dense green compacts and explosion behaviors of TE. The specimen with Co:Al = 2:9 possessed a higher open porosity of 42.8%, the lowest density of 1.86 g cm−3, and the largest volume expansion of 76.7%. The porous specimens with Co:Al = 1:1 possessed the highest open porosity of 43.2%, the lowest volume expansion of 12.3%, and the highest density of 3.42 g cm−3. All Co–Al porous intermetallics showed excellent oxidation resistance at 650°C in air, especially the specimen with Co:Al = 1:1 had the highest oxidation resistance.