Laser-initiated self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) in a disp
erse Ni-Al powder composition was studied. The X-ray diffraction measuremen
ts reveal the presence of nickel-aluminum intermetallic phases, the relativ
e content of which depends on the regime of laser action. The regimes makin
g possible a laser-controlled SHS of Ni-Al intermetallic compounds are cons
idered. (C) 2001 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".