Pack Aluminization Assisted Enhancement of Thermo-mechanical Properties in Nickel Inverse Opal Structures

Pralav P. Shetty, Runyu Zhang, Jesse P. Angle, Paul V. Braun, Jessica A. Krogstad

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A low temperature, vapor phase approach to improve the thermal stability of nonrefractory deterministically structured inverse opals is demonstrated. Specifically, pack aluminization at 550 °C was conducted on Ni inverse opals, introducing controlled amounts of Al into the structure. This enabled the formation of a strengthening Ni3Al phase, resulting in enhanced high temperature strength and stability. Following aluminization, the deterministic structures remained stable up to 1000 °C, a 500 °C increase relative to the starting Ni inverse opals. The thermal stability of the aluminized structures is comparable to that of much more difficult to fabricate deterministically structured refractory structures. Additionally, the pack aluminized structures exhibited a 17.6% increase in elastic modulus and an 81.6% increase in hardness relative to the initial Ni inverse opal. This is a promising combination of thermo-mechanical properties for very fine, deterministic structures used in high temperature, chemically harsh environments.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1648-1654
Number of pages7
JournalChemistry of Materials
Volume30
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 13 2018

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemistry(all)
  • Chemical Engineering(all)
  • Materials Chemistry

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