Tribological properties of Ni3Al produced by pressure-assisted volume combustion synthesis

The production of Ni3Al was performed under an uniaxial pressure of 150 MPa at 1050 °C for 1 h. The formation temperature of Ni3Al was determined to be 655 °C. The presence of Ni3Al was confirmed by XRD analysis. SEM analysis revealed that the Ni3Al phase has very low porosity. The relative density and microhardness of test materials were 97.8% and about 359±31 HV1.0, respectively. The specific wear rate of Ni3Al was 0.029 mm3/N m for 2 N, 0.017 mm3/N m for 5 N and 0.011 mm3/N m for 10 N, respectively. The distribution of alloying elements was determined by energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).

► Single Ni3Al intermetasllic compound was manufactured by pressure assisted combustion synthesis successfully.
► Relative densities of test materials were over 95%.
► Specific wear rate of Ni3Al intermetallic compound decreased with increase in applied load.