The method includes providing a powder that has heterogeneous particles with a ratio, by weight, of an amount of nickel to an amount of a metal. The ratio is selected in accordance with a compositional ratio that can substantially bear a nickel intermetallic precipitate of the nickel and the metal. The heterogeneous particles are then consolidated and thermally treated to interdiffuse the nickel and the metal. The interdiffused nickel and metal are then precipitation treated to precipitate the nickel intermetallic.