Molybdenum-containing alloys and associated systems and methods

Abstract

Molybdenum-containing alloys, and associated systems and methods, are generally described. In certain embodiments, secondary and/or tertiary elements can be included, along with molybdenum, to provide beneficial properties during the sintering of the molybdenum-containing alloy. The molybdenum-containing alloys are, according to certain embodiments, nanocrystalline. According to certain embodiments, the molybdenum-containing alloys have high relative densities. The molybdenum-containing alloys can be relatively stable, according to certain embodiments. Inventive methods for making molybdenum-containing alloys are also described herein.

1 . A method of forming a metal alloy, comprising:
 sintering particles comprising molybdenum (Mo) and a second element to produce the metal alloy, wherein:
 Mo is the most abundant element by atomic percentage in the metal alloy, and 
 the metal alloy has a relative density of at least 80%. 
   
     
     
         2 . A method of forming a metal alloy, comprising:
 sintering particles comprising molybdenum (Mo) and chromium (Cr) to produce the metal alloy.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein Mo is the most abundant element by atomic percentage in the metal alloy. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the metal alloy has a relative density of at least 80%. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second element is chromium. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second element is palladium (Pd). 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a third element. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the third element is present in the metal alloy in an amount of from 0.5 at % to 40 at % of the metal alloy. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the second element and the third element exhibit a miscibility gap. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the third element is tungsten (W). 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the third element is tantalum (Ta). 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the melting point of the metal alloy is at least 2,500° C. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal alloy has a neutron absorption cross-section of no greater than 18 barn. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein Mo is present in the metal alloy in an amount of at least 50 at %. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the Mo and the second element exhibit a miscibility gap. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal alloy is nanocrystalline. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal alloy is a bulk metal alloy. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal alloy is substantially stable at a temperature of at least 2500° C. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal alloy is rich in the second element at grain boundaries of the metal alloy. 
     
     
         22 . A metal alloy, comprising:
 molybdenum (Mo); and   a second element;   wherein:
 Mo is the most abundant element by atomic percentage in the metal alloy, and the metal alloy has a relative density of at least 80%. 
   
     
     
         23 - 43 . (canceled)