Influence of the processing route on microstructure and mechanical properties of the polycrystalline NiAl.

The influence of grain refinement on the mechanical properties of differently processed NiAl was presented. Five NiAl near-stoichiometric alloys were investigated, three conventionally cast and two sintered from powders (fine-grained powder made by mechanical alloying and nanopowder made by gas condensation). The mechanically alloyed and cast materials were hot extruded at different conditions to obtain diverse grain sizes. The nanomaterial was synthesized in inert gas condensation and then compacted at 1.4 GPa at 300 degrees C. It was shown that the ductility and strength can be directly controlled by appropriate texture and grain refinement.