Simultaneous IR and time-resolved X-ray diffraction measurements for studying self-sustained reactions.

Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis provides an attractive practical method for producing advanced materials such as ceramics, composites and intermetallics. This kind of reaction has been investigated in situ using time-resolved X-ray diffraction, with an X-ray synchrotron beam (D43 beamline, LURE, Orsay) coupled to simultaneous IR thermography to study structural transformations and thermal evolution. With short acquisition times (30 ms per pattern) it has been possible to observe several steps before obtaining compounds. Two different compound formations have been described: (i) the different steps of reaction, aluminium melting, subsequent temperature increase and fast reaction …