Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
Microlanminates of Nb3Al and Nb were synthesized in-situ by high rate magnetron sputtering. Three composites were fabricated. They had thicknesses ranging from 19 to 146 μm (5.5 mils) with 11 to 91 layers. The volume fraction of the Nb lamellae was approximately 0.4 for two and 0.5 for the third. Room temperature fracture of the composites revealed that some cleavage cracking in the Nb3Al intermetallic layers was arrested by the ductile Nb layer. The Nb layers failed by chisel point fracture and shear.