Effect of heating rate on the combustion synthesis of intermetallics

Effects of heating rate on the temperature profile of the thermal explosion mode of combustion synthesis and on the homogeneity of the reaction product are investigated. Analysis of the temperature profile using a simple mathematical model indicated that a significant fraction of reactants is consumed during the precombustion duration, forming intermetallic compounds at the reactant interface, which was confirmed experimentally. The relationship between the parameters measured from the temperature profile and the degree of conversion of reactants to products is discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.