The oxidation of nanocrystalline Ni3Al fabricated by mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering

Nanocrystalline Ni3Al was fabricated through mechanical alloying of elemental powders and spark plasma sintering. The nanocrystalline Ni3Al has a nearly full density after being sintered at 1223 K for 10 min under a pressure of 65 MPa. Isothermal and cyclic oxidations of nanocrystalline Ni3Al were tested at 1173–1373 K with intervals of 100 K. The results indicate that nanocrystalline Ni3Al exhibits excellent isothermal and cyclical oxidation resistance. The oxide scales consist primarily of dense and continuous α-Al2O3. The grain refinement is beneficial for improving the oxidation resistance of Ni3Al by providing more nucleation centers for the Al2O3 formation, promoting the selective formation of Al2O3 and improving the adhesion of oxide scales to the matrix.