Tomsk scientists synthesized NiAl alloy with a threefold margin of wear resistance

Scientists from the Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of the Tomsk Scientific Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences succeeded in developing a technology that enables synthesizing a NiAl surface alloy. Its wear resistance is almost three times higher than that of steel substrates. The obtained result has been included in the last report of the Russian Academy of Sciences to the government of the Russian Federation on the implementation of the Program of Fundamental Scientific Research for 2013–2020.

‘The widely used NiAl intermetallic compound combines the properties of ceramicы and metals. It possesses high melting point, thermal conductivity, high-temperature oxidation resistance, and low density. The NiAl intermetallic compound can be applied for coatings on parts operated at high temperatures and in aggressive environments, which have to meet high requirements for both heat and wear resistance. For example, this applies to turbine blades of aircraft engines, guide blades of industrial steam turbines, parts of nuclear reactors, etc.’ said Andrey Soloviev, Head of the Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of the Tomsk Scientific Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Researchers of the laboratory, together with specialists from the Institute of High Current Electronics (IHCE) of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, have proposed a qualitatively new approach to the synthesis of NiAl coatings by forming a surface alloy. As Yevgeny Yakovlev, a researcher fellow, said, “This approach enables to synthesize required phases, i.e. deposit coatings with an optimal set of properties. For this purpose, an electron-beam setup has been used, developed and deployed by colleagues from IHCE. Synthesis of the NiAl surface alloy using a low-energy high-current electron beam of microsecond duration has made it possible to achieve strong adhesion of the coatings to substrates.’

It is important to emphasize that the success in synthesis of the NiAl surface alloy has been based on the results of computer simulation of the process using software developed by the authors.

Currently, the research team is improving this method for application to other advanced materials. For example, Cr-Zr surface alloys, which appears to be promising for the nuclear industry.