Effect of Al content on reaction laser sintering of Ni–Al powder

Laser reactive sintering, i.e., laser-induced self-propagating reaction sintering synthesis was used for the preparation of nickel aluminide intermetallic compounds. The experimental parameters controlling the ignition step such as ignition time and adiabatic temperature were obtained both by experiment and calculation as a function of initial stoichiometry. Al mole ratio in initial powder mixture was varied from 25% to 50% for controlling adiabatic temperature. The increase in Al powder content resulted in the rise in adiabatic temperature and the morphology change of nickel aluminide compounds from needle-like to blocky.