Effect of different strain rates on compression property and work-hardening behavior for the NiAl-matrix composite with 1.7 wt.% NbB2 and NbxC

The microstructure, compression property and work-hardening effect of the NiAl-matrix composite with 1.7 wt.% NbB2 and NbxC (x = 1 or 2) fabricated by the combustion synthesis and hot pressing technique have been investigated in the study. The NiAl-matrix composite has strong strain rate sensitivity. The yield strength of the NbB2–NbxC/NiAl composite decreases while the fracture strain and the work-hardening capacity (Hc) increase with decreasing strain rate. A high true ultimate strength of 1472 MPa, a fracture strain of 20.1% and Hc = 1.41 were obtained under the strain rate of 2.0 × 10−5 s−1.