Development of Ni-Al Intermetallic Compounds Using Lamination Cladding and Heat Treatment

A manufacturing process of Ni-Al intermetallic compounds was developed by a simple process consisting of lamination cladding and heat treatment. The thin plates of pure Ni and Al with a size of 10 x 15 x 0.5 mm(3) were alternately laminated, and heat-treated at temperatures ranging from 923 K to 1473 K in an Ar atmosphere. The relationship between formed Ni-Al intermetallic compounds and heating temperature was investigated by microstructure observation using a scanning electron microscope attached with an energy-dispersible characteristic X-ray analytical equipment. The specimens heated at temperatures ranging from 923 K to 1073 K showed a reaction layer consisting of a single phase corresponding to Ni2Al3. The chemical composition of the reaction layer changed from Ni2Al3 to NiAl, NiAl + Ni3Al duplex and NiAl with increasing heating temperature ranging from 1173 K to 1373 K. The layer of NiAl + Ni3Al duplex was only retained up to the heating temperature of 1473 K.