Ultrasonic NDE of GdCu, SmCu, GdZn and SmZn Intermetallics

The thermo-acoustical features of rare-earth intermetallics GdCu, SmCu, GdZn and SmZn are investigated in the present work. In the initial step, second order elastic constants (SOECs) of selected intermetallics are determined at room temperature using the formulation based on Brugger's definition of elastic constants considering Coulomb and Born-Mayer type interaction potential among the atoms. Later on, elastic modulus and anisotropy are computed using the SOECs. After that the density of these intermetallics are estimated using their lattice parameters. Finally, the ultrasonic velocity and related physical quantities (specific heat, thermal energy density, thermal relaxation time and thermal conductivity) are calculated. The analysis of obtained data realizes that the mechanical behavior enhances with reduction in lattice parameter and intermetallic GdCu owes comparatively good elasto-ultrasonic features in comparison to the other three intermetallics.