Micropyretic synthesis of nickel aluminides

Nickel aluminides have been found to display attractive properties for hgh technology structural applications. The proper processing of these aluminides into useful shapes is important both from an economic standpoint and because the processing influences the final microstructure. In this article, the processing of nickel aluminides by micropyretic synthesis is discussed. Micropyretic synthesis offers many advantages over conventional synthesis techniques including energy efficient processing and direct conversion from the element state to the final net shaped product. The effects of the different process parameters like compaction pressure, diluents, preheat temperature and particle size on the process and on the synthesized NiAl product have been discussed. The homogeneity of the microstructure resulting after micropyretic synthesis in terms of phase content and composition and the mechanism of the micropyretic synthesis of the multicomponent alloys from elemental powders have been described in this review.