Reactive thermomechanical processing of intermetallic materials

Intermetallic materials have long attracted the serious attention of scientific and industrial organizations. This is primarily due to their attractive properties, which include high-temperature oxidation and corrosion resistance, low density, and high-temperature strength. Major drawbacks that have so far restricted the application of such materials include the high energy used in their synthesis and production in the final component shape. The thermomechanical processing of intermetallic materials often requires the heating of the work piece to temperatures in excess of 1000 degreesC. This paper presents results from recent research into new reactive thermomechanical approaches that can produce intermetallics at operating temperatures several hundred degrees lower than those currently used. The main findings suggest that these processes may provide benefits in terms of low energy, consolidation, microstructure refinement, and homogenization.