Evolution of material properties during the sintering process of Cr-Re-Al2O3 composites

This paper constitutes an analysis of the effect of heat treatment time on the properties of Cr-Re-Al2O3 composite materials. It was found that as a result of sintering, rhenium is dissolved in chromium to create chromium-rhenium solid solution. This process is time-dependent, therefore as the time extends, the structure of material becomes homogenous, which improves its mechanical properties. Within the frame of herein presented studies, a series of technological tests have been carried out for a constant sintering temperature (1450 °C) and pressure (30 MPa), with the use of a variable holding time in the maximum temperature. As a result, changes in the structure of CrRe matrix have been determined and the resulting changes in the properties of composite. Based on those tests, optimal conditions of the sintering process have been determined from the point of view of obtaining a homogenous structure and the most beneficial properties of Cr-Re-Al2O3 composites.