Directions in High Temperature Intermetallics Research

Abstract
Structural intermetallic materials have undergone an evolutionary process whereby some of the materials could provide major payoffs in gas turbine engines. This maturation of select intermetallic systems has provided significant hope for making still greater advances in turbine performance through further developments in other intermetallic materials. The same maturation process has highlighted specific limitations and requirements which are key to the utilization of intermetallic systems. This paper briefly reviews some critical ground rules for high temperature intermetallics development and identifies research directions being pursued by the Air Force for advancing intermetallic materials.