The thermal stability of the intermetallic compound Ni3Al with a nanocrysta
lline structure is investigated. In intense plastic deformation by torsion
under high quasi-hydrostatic pressure on Bridgman anvils, a completely diso
rdered structure of grain size similar to 50 nm is obtained. Comprehensive
investigation of the evolution of the nanocrystalline Ni3Al structure - by
measuring the temperature dependence of the residual electrical resistance
and the microhardness, by transmission electron microscopy, and by X-ray st
ructural analysis indicates a three-stage evolution of the structure on hea
ting.