Edge-restraint deformation processing of aluminides and other powders

The novel, 'edge-restraint rolling' method has been developed in order to facilitate the thickness reduction of brittle, high strength alloys to the degree of thin plates or sheets, by first hot-compacting the prealloyed powders into billets and conducting the thickness reduction in a series of reheats and roll passes. Attention is presently given to the cases of equiatomic aluminide FeAl, (Ni,Fe)3Al, and an Al-Fe alloy. The flat-rolled products thus obtained may lead to the development of components not otherwise formable for powerplant and other aerospace applications.