PART VI - The Equilibrium Phase Diagram, Niobium (Columbium)-Aluminum

The phase eqrtilibria of the binavy system, Nb-Al, weye established by metallographic, X-ray diffraction, hardness, and thermal-analysis techniques. Three intermediate phases were identijied, Nb3.41, Nb2Al, and NbAl,. The N6,Al and NbAl phases have extensiue ranges of solubility. The maximum solubility of aluminum in niobiuitz is 23.0 i0.5 at. pct (8.0 wt pct) A1 clt 1960" i 10°C. The maximumt solinbility oj niobiunz in alunzinutz is less than 0.3 i0.1 at. pct (1.0 tut pct) fib. The A'h,Al and Nbgl interinediate phases forr peritectically at 1960° 1UcC and 1870" i 1U9C, respectively, zuhereas the NbAl, phase fornts congvuently fio11t the melt at 1605" 10°C. A eutectic reaction oc- The intent of an over-all research program was to develop niobium-aluminide-base coatings for refractory metals since these coatings exhibit useful high- curs at 57.8 i 0.5 at. pct (28.5 wt pet) A1 and 1500" 10°C between NbAl and NbAl3. The aluminum-rich region of the system has a peritectic reaction where liquid reacts with NbAL, to form aluminum solid solution. Structural and lattice -pavarneter data /or the intermediate phases were determined by X-ray diffraction analyses. An unusual transfov?nation having charactevistics of nucleation-growth and martensitic nleclanisils occurs on cooling the niobium solid solution in the region from 18 at. pct (6 wt pct) Al to 23 at. pct (8 wt pct) Al. The transfornzed product on rapid quenchirzg is an acicular NhAl. temperature resistance to oxidation. As a prerequisite, the phase equilibria of the system, Nb-A1, were necessary. A literature survey revealed that the phase-equilibria data reported by various investigators were rather incomplete and conflicting. Therefore a complete determination of the system was undertaken by the authors from 0 to 100 pct of solute addition.' In 1959 Savitskiyz presented a tentative diagram which