Micropyretic synthesis of refractory metal intermetallic compounds

Abstract

The processing of refractory metal intermetallic compounds by micropyretic synthesis has been discussed in this article. The advantages of this process have been elaborated with the synthesis of intermetallic compounds in view. Microstructures of the synthesized alloys have been examined in detail and compared with the conventionally produced microstructure. The effect of different process parameters on the process and on the synthesized microstructure has been described. Special emphasis is given on the synthesis of aluminides of Nb and Ti and NiTi. The mechanism of micropyretic synthesis of the aforementioned intermetallic compounds from elemental powders has been studied by arresting the synthesis process midway. This has resulted in preservation of the unsynthesized material on one side, the fully synthesized material on the other and intermediate stages of synthesis frozen in between. A detailed microstructural characterization has been carried out around the arrested synthesis front in order to establish the sequence of synthesis.