Effects of Inert Nanoparticles of High-Melting-Point Compositions on Grain Structure and Strength of Ni3Al Intermetallic Compounds

The paper represents experimental findings both in the area of effects of nanoparticles of inert high-melting-point TiN compounds on a Ni3Al intermetallic grain structure creation in the conditions of high temperature synthesis under pressure, and in the area of impact of grain structure modification on intermetallic compounds' strength factor temperature dependence. It was demonstrated that appending a stoichiometric composition of nanosized particles of high-melting-point inert chemical compounds ( TiN) initiates a manyfold loss of average size of grain of Ni3Al intermetallic compounds, synthesized under pressure, as well as a sufficient intermetallic compounds' strength rise within a wide range of temperatures ( up to 1 000 degree C). Electron-microscopic evaluations of a synthesized intermetallic structure with TiN nanoparticles, showed that, during the process of intermetallic polycrystalline structure creation from high temperature synthesis products melts, TiN nanoparticles are mainly spread throughout the boundaries and joints of grain structure, acting as stoppers of grain boundaries migration.