The temperature-time dependence of the amount and type of niobium beryllides formed during the synthesis of the binary intermetallic compound NbBe3

Intermetallic compounds of beryllium with refractory materials (niobium, tantalum, zirconium, etc.) possess exceptional characteristics, such as high-temperature strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and high hardness. However, despite the impressive physical and mechanical properties of beryllides, the current manufacturing methods for producing components from these materials have not yet reached industrial maturity. The main producers of beryllides in the global market are Brush Wellman Inc. (USA) and Ulba Metallurgical Plant (UMP) JSC (Kazakhstan). In this study, niobium beryllides manufactured by UMP JSC were chosen as the object of research. Specifically, this work focuses on studying the synthesis process of the binary intermetallic compound of niobium beryllide NbBe3. The current study presents the results of determining the type and quantity of intermetallic pairs of niobium beryllides during the synthesis of the binary intermetallic compound NbBe3 from a compacted mixture of beryllium and niobium powders in the temperature range of 800 °C–1300 °C. •Synthesis process of the monophasic compound NbBe3 was investigated.•The results of qualitative X-ray phase analysis and quantitative evaluations of the phases formed in each temperature-time range are presented.•The transformation of Nb and Be powders into NbBe3 compound occurs in temperature between 900°C and 1300°C through a series of intermediate intermetallic compounds.