Development of niobium aluminide-based composites with improved toughness using treated reinforcements

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1996 · Acta Materialia

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/1359-6454(95)00241-3· OSTI ID:215391

Woytera, S A; Bhagat, R B; Amateau, M F ^[1]

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1. Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States). Applied Research Lab.

Many ordered intermetallic compounds exhibit attractive properties for high temperature structural aerospace applications. The major obstacles limiting the use of these materials are their low ductility and toughness at room temperature and poor creep resistance at elevated temperatures. In this investigation treated silicon carbide whisker and niobium particle reinforced niobium aluminide matrix composites have been fabricated by reaction hot pressing in vacuum. Elemental matrix powders react exothermally and form the niobium aluminide matrix in situ. A suitable hot pressing cycle has been established for the successful development of the niobium aluminide matrix, while reducing adverse reactions between the matrix and the reinforcements. The composites with treated reinforcements are expected to have high resistance to creep at elevated temperatures and they show relatively low hardness and higher toughness in comparison with the composites reinforced with untreated whiskers.

• OSTI ID: 215391
• Journal Information: Acta Materialia, Vol. 44, Issue 3; Other Information: PBD: Mar 1996
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
HOT PRESSING
HARDNESS
FRACTURE PROPERTIES
NIOBIUM
NIOBIUM ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
SILICON CARBIDES
AEROSPACE INDUSTRY
INTERMETALLIC COMPOUNDS
WHISKERS
PARTICULATES
POWDERS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
DUCTILITY
CREEP