Structure and transformation behaviour of rapidly solidified Ni-Al-Hf alloys

Rapidly solidified Ni-Al-Hf alloys of ternary eutectic compositions were studied by X-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Ni₆₆Hf₂₀Al₁₄ amorphous alloy with relatively high Hf/Al ratio showed high tensile strength of 1600 MPa and high thermal stability against crystallization. The formation of a nanoscale metastable intermetallic compound having a body-centered cubic lattice with a lattice parameter of a = 1.22 nm was observed in the alloys with higher Al than Hf content. The transformation of an amorphous+metastable cubic mixture to AlNi₃ produces AlNi₃ of the same composition as the AlNi₃ phase formed on rapid solidification. Pm3̄m AlNi₃ phase can dissolve up to 11 at.% Hf.