Making niobium intermetallic compounds.

摘要

Method of making niobium intermetallic compounds NbAx, in which A is Sn, Ge, Al or Ga or mixtures thereof, and x exceeds <1>/3. These compounds are useful as intermediates in the manufacture of A15-structure superconductors of formula Nb3A. They are prepared by contacting niobium halide vapour, preferably niobium pentachloride, with liquid A at a temperature below the dissociation temperature of NbAx, whereby the compound NbAxprecipitates as a solid,. the niobium halide vapour is conveyed in a stream of unreactive gas wich serves to carry away the halide of A.