Intermetallic matrix composite

1. An intermetallic matrix composite comprising:

an intermetallic matrix; and

a ceramic reinforcement,

wherein the intermetallic matrix comprises, in atomic percent:

28.0±2.0 Nb;

27.0±2.0 Mo;

27.0±2.0 Cr;

9.0 ±2.0 Si;

9.0 ±2.0 Al; and

no more than 10.0 other alloying elements and impurities, if any.

2. The intermetallic matrix composite of claim 1 wherein the intermetallic matrix comprises a eutectic wherein two phases combine to form at least 60% by volume of the matrix and each is at least 25% by volume of the matrix.

3. The intermetallic matrix composite of claim 2 wherein the two phases are:

a first phase being of the type Cr 2 Nb with C14/C15 crystal structure; and

a second phase being of the type Cr 3 Si with A15 crystal structure.

4. The intermetallic matrix composite of claim 3 wherein the intermetallic matrix comprises a third phase forming 25% to 35% by volume of the matrix and comprising:

a majority by weight and volume Nb—Cr—Mo solid solution with A2 structure.

5. The intermetallic matrix composite of claim 1 wherein the intermetallic matrix comprises, in atomic percent:

28.0±1.0 Nb;

27.0±1.0 Mo;

27.0±1.0 Cr;

9.0±1.0 Si; and

9.0±1.0 Al.

6. The intermetallic matrix composite of claim 1 wherein the intermetallic matrix further comprises for said other alloying elements, in atomic percent:

0.2 to 2.0 Sn.

7. The intermetallic matrix composite of claim 1 wherein the intermetallic matrix further comprises for said other alloying elements, in atomic percent:

0.2 to 2.0 Re.

8. The intermetallic matrix composite of claim 1 wherein the intermetallic matrix further comprises for said other alloying elements, in atomic percent:

0.2 to 2.0 Sn and 0.2 to 2.0 Re.

9. The intermetallic matrix composite of claim 1 wherein the intermetallic matrix further comprises, in atomic percent:

no more than 5.0 total all other refractory elements and no more than 1.0 individual all other transition metals.

10. The intermetallic matrix composite of claim 1 wherein the intermetallic matrix is:

Nb-27Mo-27Cr-9Al-9Si (in at. %).

11. The intermetallic matrix composite of claim 1 wherein the intermetallic matrix has a melting point of:

3100° F. to 3400° F.

12. The intermetallic matrix composite of claim 1 wherein the ceramic reinforcement comprises:

alumina.

13. The intermetallic matrix composite of claim 1 wherein the ceramic reinforcement comprises:

coated SiC fiber.

14. The intermetallic matrix composite of claim 13 wherein the coating on the SiC fiber comprises:

at least one of mullite and alumina.

15. The intermetallic matrix composite of claim 1 wherein the ceramic reinforcement comprises:

a woven preform.

16. The intermetallic matrix composite of claim 1 wherein the ceramic reinforcement comprises:

fibers coated with A15(Cr 3 Si) phase-forming metallic elements replacing Si sites.

17. A turbine engine component comprising a body of the intermetallic matrix composite of claim 1 .

18. The turbine engine component of claim 17 further comprising:

a silicide coating on the body.

19. A method for manufacturing the intermetallic matrix composite of claim 1 , the method comprising:

providing a preform of the ceramic reinforcement;

infiltrating the preform with molten alloy at a temperature of 3100° F. to 3400° F.; and

allowing the alloy to solidify to from the intermetallic matrix.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein:

the infiltration is a vacuum infiltration or a pressure-assisted infiltration.