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The Effects Of Uncommon Silicides On The Oxidation Of Alloys From The Nb-Cr-Si System, Daniel Brendan Voglewede

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Niobium based alloys are being tapped as potential successors to current nickel base superalloys in high temperature applications. In the aerospace industry, high temperature materials are constantly being pushed to higher temperature regimes in order to improve engine efficiency however current superalloys cannot be pushed further due to melting temperature limitations. Niobium, being a refractory metal, can withstand much higher temperatures than nickel however its oxidation properties are woefully inadequate.

The purpose of this study is to ascertain whether increased silicon additions can improve niobium oxidation properties by: forming ternary silicides with better oxidation properties and by preventing the formation …