Progress in Natural Science: Materials International

The effects of Cr, Al and B addition on the microstructure and high-temperature oxidation behaviors (at 1200, 1250 and 1300 °C) of Nb–Ti–Si based alloys were investigated. The results showed that the addition of Cr stabilized α-Nb5Si3, while Al promoted the formation of β-Nb5Si3 and adding B promoted the formation of γ-Nb5Si3. Among the three elements, Al and Cr were beneficial to oxidation resistance at 1200 °C, and B was favorable to the oxidation resistance at 1300 °C. At 1250 °C, Al and B had the same effects on the improvement of oxidation resistance. The ratio of these alloying elements might play an important role in enhancing oxidation resistance. The oxidation resistance of the three kinds of silicides was compared, and the sequence was: γ-Nb5Si3> β-Nb5Si3> α-Nb5Si3. To predict the effects of the investigated alloying elements on the oxidation resistance of Nb–Ti–Si based alloys in a wider range of concentration, an artificial neural network (ANN) model was established, showing excellent accuracy and generalization ability. With the instructions of the ANN model, the oxidation resistance can be optimized with less additions of alloying elements.