Nanostrands of nickel or iron are subject to the temperature and corrosion limits of those respective elements. But if the nanostrands are treated with aluminum, in a proprietary process, and subsequently converted to either nickel aluminide or iron aluminide, they will then retain their properties to much higher temperatures.
The graph below shows the weight gain of nanostrands treated in air at 400C, 500 C or 600 C, for 500 hours. While the normal nanostrands oxidized quite readily, it was found that the aluminide nanostrands did not gain any weight. Furthermore, after the test was completed, the aluminide nanostrands were still conductive and attracted to a magnet, and retained their high aspect ratio morphology, as shown in the micrograph below.
Nickel aluminide nanostrands after 500 C for 500 hours in air. 1000 x. This material is still conductive and still magnetic.
