Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
Combustion synthesis of NbAl3-matrix composites with Al2O3 and B additions was studied using the thermal explosion mode. The addition of B to the reaction mixture resulted in the formation of NbB2, small amounts of NbB and unreacted Al. The Al2O3 addition did not affect the NbAl3-matrix reaction completion but the final product density increased with increasing Al2O3 loading. In both NbAl3-matrix composites, the reaction was initiated above the melting point of Al.