Multiphase intermetallic alloys for structural applications

Current more or less progressed developments on the base of intermetallic phases usually aim at new materials with the highest possible strength, creep resistance and oxidation resistance at the highest possible temperature and tolerable brittleness at lower temperatures for structural applications at high temperatures. Intermetallic alloys offer advantageous possibilities for reaching these aims by appropriate combination of phases and optimisation of phase distribution. This is exemplified with respect to strength and creep resistance by recent studies on NiAl alloys with strengthening Laves phase and multiphase TiAl alloys. The beneficial effects of additional softening phases on deformability and toughness are demonstrated by the results of recent studies on Laves phase alloys with disordered Fe–Al phase, NiAl alloys with disorderd Ni–Fe phase and partially transformed martensitic NiAl alloys. Mechanisms and problems are discussed and perspectives are outlined.