Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 March 2011
An alternative high temperature structural alloy system based on the X-X3Si eutectic compositions of chromium and vanadium is put forward. These low-density (~6g/cm3) eutectics have a bcc solid-solution to increase alloy fracture toughness, and a A15 X3Si as the high temperature load-bearing phase. (½Cr,½V)-(½Cr,½V)3Si was used as the base alloy for further element additions, and is represented by the symbol 山 10at.% tantalum and aluminium were substituted for vanadium as quaternary and quinary alloy additions.
Microstructure, elemental phase partitioning, compression creep and oxidation results will be discussed. Cr-Cr3Si has a tidy, fine lamellar microstructure. Vanadium coarsens and destabilises the lamellae to a limited extent. Tantalum addition causes two distinct populations of eutectic to form; one population having finer lamellae than the other. Aluminium does not coarsen or destabilise the lamellar microstructure. High temperature compression tests at 1200°C and 1300°C show that 山 is stronger than the binary alloys, and of similar strength to the quaternary and quinary alloys.