Mechanical properties of the B2 NdAg intermetallic compound

Polycrystalline specimens of NdAg with a CsCl-type B2 structure were tested in tension and compression at room temperature. Tensile tests of NdAg specimens produced an elongation of 18% and resulted in fracture at a stress of 168 MPa. Specimens in compression showed a compressive strain of 69% at an ultimate compressive strength of 1676 MPa. The NdO2 and Ag phases were observed in NdAg specimens and the mechanisms of phase formation are discussed.