Microstructure, chemistry and thermodynamics of Al/NiO couples obtained at 1273Â K

Paper deals with the Al/NiO high temperature interaction leading to creation of complex microstructure. Its comprehensive characteristics with means of scanning and transmission electron microscopy have been described. Application of various orientations of NiO substrate resulted in the formation of the same phase composition (α-Al2O3, Al and Al3Ni), however of various morphology and amount of particular components, depending on NiO crystallographic orientation. Regardless, of applied substrate orientation, alumina particles of submicron size were formed, which surrounded by aluminum matrix can be treated as model Al-Al2O3 composite formed in situ. The formation of Al3Ni phase was discussed with help of calculated stable and metastable Al-Ni-O phase diagrams.