An Overview on Synthesis, Processing and Applications of Nickel Aluminides: From Fundamentals to Current Prospects

Abstract

Nickel aluminides have desirable properties for use in high-temperature applications. Nickel aluminides have certain desirable qualities, but for almost a decade in the 1990s, those benefits were overshadowed by the challenges of processing and machining at room temperature. Manufacturing improvements, increased knowledge of aluminide microstructure and deformation processes, and developments in micro-alloying have all contributed to the development of nickel aluminides. Key developments in nickel aluminides, such as their microstructure, alloy addition and alloy development, are given and discussed at length. Methods of production from the past, such as ingot metallurgy and investment casting and melting are addressed, and developments in powder metallurgy-based production methods are introduced. Finally, the difficulties of producing nickel aluminides and possible solutions are examined. This paper gives an overview of the fundamentals, preparation, processing, applications and current trends in nickel aluminides.