Bulk Nb3Al intermetallic compound: Synthesis and high-temperature properties

Abstract Bulk Nb3Al-based alloys were synthesized through a joint reduction of Nb2O5 and Al2O3 oxides by calcium hydride. On the example of two compositions, it was shown that the calcium hydride-based method can produce Nb–Al powders with a given aluminum content. Bulk alloys with a Nb3Al phase content of ≥95 wt% and a porosity level of 0.5Tm, where Tm is the melting temperature). The bulk Nb3Al intermetallic compound is characterized by high creep resistance (a steady creep rate of 6.77 × 10−5 s −1) and increased strength (a compressive yield strength of ~430 MPa and a tensile strength of ~160 MPa) at temperatures exceeding 0.5Tm of Nb3Al.