Overview of NiAl Alloys for High Temperature Structural Applications

NiAl alloys offer significant payoffs in gas turbine applications. Excellent progress has been made in understanding their mechanical behavior and improving low temperature ductility and high temperature strength. Significant improvements in mechanical properties have been obtained with microalloying. The next challenge is to develop an alloy which has the required balance of ductility, toughness, strength and other properties such as fatigue and impact resistance. Development of design, processing and test methodology for components made out of low ductility and anisotropic materials will also be required. While significant challenges remain, the prognosis for using NiAl alloys as high temperature structural materials is good.