Compression properties and work-hardening effect of the NiAl-matrix composite with TaB2 and TaB

The microstructure, compression property and work-hardening effect of the NiAl-matrix composite reinforced by 5 vol.% ceramic particulates (TaB and TaB2) were investigated. The compression properties and work-hardening capacity (Hc) under the different strain rates were also investigated. The NiAl-matrix composite has strong strain rate sensitivity. A high true ultimate strength of 1399 MPa, a true fracture strain of 18.7% and Hc = 1.84 were obtained under the strain rate of 1.0 × 10−4 s−1. The good compression properties may be attributed to the refinement of the grain size and the good combination between the ceramic particulates and the NiAl-matrix.