Elsevier

Intermetallics

Volume 8, Issues 9–11, September 2000, Pages 1313-1320
Intermetallics

Emerging applications of intermetallics

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0966-9795(00)00077-7Get rights and content

Abstract

Many intermetallic compounds display an attractive combination of physical and mechanical properties, including high melting point, low density and good oxidation or corrosion resistance. This has led to their utilization in many non-structural applications, but success in structural applications has, to date, been limited. This paper reviews the current status of intermetallic applications, with emphasis on new uses that are in place or pending. Most of the paper deals with aluminides and silicides, but there are several more complex intermetallics that are being employed in battery and magnetic applications. Research on improved processing and studies of the role of environment in mechanical behavior are shown to be key to developing practical alloys.

Introduction

Intensive studies of the mechanical and physical properties of intermetallic compounds have led to many suggestions for potential structural and non-structural applications. These include high temperature gas turbine hardware, corrosion resistant materials, heat treatment fixtures, magnetic materials and hydrogen storage materials. It is the objective of this paper to describe in detail these and other applications, and to point out research that needs to be done to insure improved mechanical and/or physical properties.

Section snippets

Characteristics of intermetallics

For at least the past four decades research on intermetallic compounds has largely focussed upon mechanical properties, especially involving low temperature ductility and high temperature strength. Unfortunately, many intermetallics are brittle or semi-brittle at room temperature, rendering them difficult to fabricate or utilize in structural applications. In recent years it has been found that brittleness in several aluminides and silicides arises from an extrinsic environmental effect which

Intermetallics for structural, heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant applications

The most widely studied intermetallics in this class include aluminides of titanium, nickel, iron and niobium, silicides of nickel, molybdenum and niobium and Laves phases such as Cr2Nb. The physical properties of these compounds are summarized in Table 2. Many of these compounds have excellent corrosion and oxidation properties because of the high content of elements that form protective oxides. Therefore, applications for these compounds sometimes extend far beyond their strength and

Electronics and sensors

The widespread use of silicides in the electronics industry has been reviewed by Kumar [28]. These compounds are used as superconductors, ohmic contacts for integrated circuits, for growth of epitaxial films and as infrared detectors and sensors. Other intermetallics are now being studied for electronic applications. For example, NiAl and Ni3Al substrates are being used to form an insulating alumina layer by oxidation in air at temperatures between about 900 and 1200°C, prior to applying

Summary

This paper has described a wide range of industrial applications of intermetallic compounds. Although many alloys with attractive high temperature strength and ductility have been developed, applications in aerospace have been sparse. This arises in part from the inherent conservatism of this industry when new materials are considered, especially in view of the lack of a large database for most intermetallics. Recent developments in processing (e. g. the use of powders to produce functionally

Acknowledgements

This research was sponsored by the Division of Materials Science and Engineering, U.S. Department of Energy under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725 with UT-Battelle, LLC.

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