Composites having an intermetallic containing matrix

A method for forming an intermetallic material having a finely divided second phase material precipitated in-situ therein, said method comprising the steps of:

• contacting reactive precursors of second phase material, in the presence of reactive precursors of intermetallic material in which said second phase material precursors are more soluble than said second phase material;
• raising the temperature of said reactive precursors to a temperature at which sufficient diffusion of said precursors of said second phase materials into at least one of said reactive precursors of said intermetallic material occurs to cause the initiation of a solvent assisted exothermic reaction of the precursors of said second phase, thereby forming second phase particles in-situ;
• forming the intermetallic material from the precursors thereof;
• and recovering a composite comprising an intermetallic containing matrix with said second phase particles dispersed therein.

A method for making intermetallic-second phase composites, said method comprising:

• contacting a reaction mixture consisting of second phase forming constituents and a first precursor of an intermetallic material, said second phase forming constituents being more soluble in said intermetallic precusor than said second phase;
• heating said reaction mixture to a temperature at which sufficient diffusion of said second phase forming constituents into said first intermetallic precursor occurs to initiate an exothermic solvent assisted reaction of said constituents and to form a second phase precipitate in-situ in said first intermetallic precursor;
• adding said second phase precipitate in said first intermetallic precursor to a molten mass of a second intermetallic precursor to thereby form an intermetallic having second phase particles therein;
• and recovering a material comprising finely divided second phase particles in an intermetallic containing matrix.