SHOCK-INDUCED CHEMICAL-REACTIONS AND SYNTHESIS OF NICKEL ALUMINIDES

Chemical reactions in Ni and Al powder mixtures, initiated by the passage of shock waves, are used for the synthesis of nickel aluminides. Mechanistic investigations reveal that the extent of these shock-induced chemical reactions and the type (stoichiometry) of shock-synthesized compound formed depend on shock-loading conditions and the initial powder particle morphology. More intense shock conditions and irregular powder morphology assist in attaining an intimately (mechanically) mixed and activated closed-packed mass, thereby favoring bulk chemical reactions and resulting in the synthesis of compounds. While the Ni3Al compound is the preferred reaction product at lower shock conditions, more intense shock conditions favor the formation of the equiatomic B2-phase NiAl compound (having highest melting temperature and highest heat of reaction in contrast to other nickel aluminides), in spite of the starting powders mixed in a volumetric ratio corresponding to the Ni3Al compound.