ENVIRONMENTAL RESISTANCE OF INTERMETALLIC COMPOUNDS AND COMPOSITE-MATERIALS

Intermetallic compounds and composites based on them are candidate mat erials for high temperature structural applications. However, both ele vated temperature and ambient temperature resistance to the environmen t pose potential problems. For example, minor alloying elements have b een shown to have a significant influence on the static and cyclic oxi dation resistance. In addition, at ambient temperatures, virtually all of the alloys that have been examined show considerable susceptibilit y to hydrogen embrittlement. A brief overview of these phenomena is pr esented.