Nickel Aluminide

High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Nickel aluminide (Ni3Al) is an intermetallic material with properties similar to both a ceramic and a metal. An intermetallic compound can be defined as an ordered alloy phase formed between two metallic elements, where an alloy phase is ordered if two or more sublattices are required to describe its atomic structure. The ordered structure exhibits superior elevated-temperature properties because of the long-range ordered super-lattice, which reduces dislocation mobility and diffusion processes at elevated temperatures. Also known as Ii221M, this alloy is made up of nickel combined with several other metals including aluminium, chromium, molybdenum, zirconium and boron. Adding boron increases the ductility of the alloy. As well, it increases the hardness. This alloy is extremely strong for its weight, five times stronger than stainless steel. Unlike most alloys, Ii221M increases in strength from room temperature up to 800 C.