Niobium-silicide based composities resistant to high temperature oxidation

摘要

A niobium-silicide refractory metal intermetallic composite adapted for use in a turbine component. The niobium-silicide refractory metal intermetallic composite comprises: between about 19 atomic percent and about 24 atomic percent titanium; between about 1 atomic percent and about 5 atomic percent hafnium; between about 16 atomic percent and about 22 atomic percent silicon; between about 7 atomic percent and about 14 atomic percent chromium; from about 1.5 atomic percent to about 3 atomic percent tin; and a balance of niobium. The niobium silicide refractory intermetallic composite contains a tetragonal phase, which comprises a volume fraction from 0.35 to 0.5 of the niobium silicide refractory intermetallic composite, and a hexagonal M₃Si₅ silicide phase (wherein M is at least one of Nb and Hf) which comprises a volume fraction comprises less than 0.25 of the niobium silicide refractory intermetallic composite. A ratio of the sum of atomic percentages of niobium and tantalum present in said niobium silicide refractory intermetallic composite to the sum of atomic percentages of titanium and of hafnium present in said niobium silicide refractory intermetallic composite has a value from 1.5 to 2.0.