Role of Nickel in Fe₃Al Intermetallic Compound Formation

Abstract

The effect of nickel on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Fe₃Al alloys containing 25 at.-%Al has been studied. Specimens were prepared from elemental powders. It has been determined that the addition of nickel helps densification during sintering and results in a refinement of final grain size. Near full density samples can be obtained. Mechanical tests at room temperature show that hardness, ductility, and tensile strength increased as the nickel content is increased. The fracture mode in tension is a mixture of transgranular cleavage and quasicleavage. The proportion of quasicleavage increases with nickel content. PM/0641