Influence of processing on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a NbAl3-base alloy

Abstract

A multiphase oxidation resistant composition (Nb–67Al–7Cr–0.5Y–0.25W) based on NbAl3 was prepared by both induction melting and rapid solidification processing (RSP), followed by grinding to 75 μm powder and consolidating by powder metallurgy techniques (hot pressing, hot isostatic pressing, and Ceracon pressing). Constant strain rate compression tests conducted on consolidated materials in the temperature range 300–1300 K indicated that the RSP material exhibited significantly higher strength and ductility than the induction melted alloy up to 1200 K. Bend strengths measured on induction melted material were significantly lower than the corresponding compressive strengths, suggesting the brittle, flaw-sensitive nature of this alloy. The NbAlCrYW alloy exhibits a brittle-to-ductile transition around 1000 K. The constant load creep tests conducted on the induction melted alloy in the 1200–1300 K temperature range indicated that this alloy shows a power law creep dependency with a stress exponent, n, of 3.2. It was found that the specific strength of this alloy is competitive with other aluminide intermetallics.