Direct synthesis of niobium aluminides powders by sodiothermic reduction in molten salts

Niobium aluminides were directly synthesized by a sodiothermic reduction process of NbCl5 - AlCl3 which was dispersed into LiCl - KCl - NaCl - CaCl2 melts. The melt supplied a homogenous reaction medium which was substantially beneficial to the co-reduction of Nb and Al to form niobium aluminides in situ. The reduction was performed at 500 degrees C for 4 hours. The products were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The corresponding results indicated that niobium aluminides powders were successfully synthesized.