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Title: Oxidation and intergranular disintegration of the aluminides NiAl and NbAl sub 3 and phases in the system Nb-Ni-Al

Journal Article · · Oxidation of Metals; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00738286· OSTI ID:6024691
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Eisenforschung GmbH, Duesseldorf (West Germany)

The oxidation behavior is very different for an aluminide with a wide homogeneity range such as {beta}-NiAl than for a line compound such as NbAl{sub 3}. Oxidation of {beta}-NiAl at temperatures {ge}1,273 K leads to a slow-growing {alpha}-alumina layer. The metal phase beneath the scale remains as {beta}-NiAl; however, cavity formation is observed. The cavity formation may be favored by sulphur surface segregation. Oxidation of NbAl{sub 3} at temperatures {ge}1,273 K initially leads to {alpha}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, but the Al depletion causes the formation of Nb{sub 2}Al beneath the oxide layer. Cracking of the Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} layer opens Nb{sub 2}Al to the atmosphere, which oxidizes rapidly to Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5} and NbAlO{sub 4}. After consumption of the Nb{sub 2}Al, a layer of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} formed again on the NbAl{sub 3} phase, but failure of the alumina and the fast growth of the other oxides occur as a repeated process. Thus, NbAl{sub 3} exhibited rapid linear oxidation kinetics. Multiphase alloys in the system Nb-Ni-Al generally behave better than NbAl{sub 3}, and the low oxidation rates of {beta}-NiAl can be approached. In the temperature range below 1,273 K, with a maximum at 1,000 K, both NiAl and NbAl{sub 3} show the pest phenomenon, an intergranular disintegration. Preceding the disintegration, oxygen diffuses into the grain boundaries of the material and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} is formed at the grain boundaries, beginning from the surface region. NiAl is susceptible only in a very limited range of oxygen pressures and temperatures, whereas NbAl{sub 3} is much more susceptible.

OSTI ID:
6024691
Journal Information:
Oxidation of Metals; (United States), Vol. 35:3-4; ISSN 0030-770X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English