Recently, there has been a great interest in niobium-based alloys having a multiphase microstructure composed of Nb-silicides in a softer beta matrix for high temperature structural applications, owing to their good combination of properties like high strength at elevated temperatures, high stiffness, low density, etc. Selection of alloying elements is a critical issue as the additions that improve high temperature oxidation resistance generally degrade the mechanical properties of the alloys. Therefore, after a preliminary investigation, the multi component Nb-Si-Ti-Al-Cr-X system was selected with the aim of developing new alloys that have the potential to meet the required properties for high temperature applications. |