Cyclic oxidation of alumina-forming Ni–Al nanocomposites with and without CeO2 addition

CeO2 nanoparticles were co-electrodeposited into an alumina-forming Ni–Al nanocomposite that was composed of nanocrystalline Ni matrix and dispersed Al nanoparticles. Cyclic oxidation in air at 1000 °C for 126 h showed that the alumina-forming nanocomposite scaled faster than its counterpart which contained a CeO2 addition, due to the formation of numerous surface NiO nodules and internal oxidation of aluminum as a result of the composite intergranular cracking during the cycling. The intergranular cracking was profoundly prevented when the CeO2 was present.