Synthesis of Novel Niobium Aluminide-Based Composites |
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Authors: | Daniel E Garcia Silvia Schicker Jorn Bruhn Rolf Janssen Nils Claussen |
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Affiliation: | Advanced Ceramics Group, Technische Universität Hamburg–Harburg, 21071 Hamburg, Germany |
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Abstract: | A reactive sintering process has been used to produce almost fully dense composites with interpenetrating networks of NbAl3 and Al2O3. The process involves the reaction synthesis of niobium aluminides and Al2O3 from compacts of intensively milled aluminum and Nb2O5 powder mixtures. During carefully controlled heating under an inert atmosphere, the oxide reduction by aluminum to form niobium aluminides and Al2O3 proceeds at temperatures below the melting point of aluminum. At temperatures of >1000°C, the reaction-formed niobium aluminides and Al2O3 sinter. The present paper discusses processing parameters, such as attrition milling, the heating cycle, and the metal:ceramic ratio in the starting mixture, that control microstructure development and mechanical properties. |
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