Toward a better understanding of ruthenium aluminide

Abstract

Of the many intermetallic compounds identified to date, only a relatively small number are candidates suitable for further development as high-temperature structural intermetallics. Were it not for the relative scarcity of ruthenium, the B2 compound RuAl might have received considerably more development impetus from its unusual inherent combination of ductility, strength, and thermodynamic stability. Nevertheless, variations of this compound have received a great deal of attention. RuAl possesses an almost unique line-up of physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, and, provided that misconceptions that it is exotic and expensive can be addressed, it is bound to attract more attention in the future.