Oxidation of advanced intermetallic compounds

Abstract
Intermetallic compounds with low densities and high melting temperatures are prime structural material candidates for advanced heat engines. The close link between crystal structure and mechanical properties has led the search for new cubic pseudo-binary transition metal aluminides. Compositing leads the way for improved mechanical properties of refractory metal silicides. In all cases there is a strong competition for oxide scale frequency between the energetic oxide formers of the intermetallic compounds. In the case of titanium aluminides, efforts are directed towards modification of the concentration of oxygen vacancies to reduce growth rates and influence scale dominance. Glass formers are added to the disilicides to promote scale fluidity to seal cracks which are pathways for oxidation.