Nanocrystalline Phases During Mechanically Activated Processing of an Iron (Fe) Aluminum (40 at% Al) Alloy

Abstract

Influence of processing conditions on in situ generation of nanocrystalline Fe₃AlC_x and Fe–Al phases during mechanically activated annealing and sintering of Fe–40 at% Al alloy was evaluated. Fe₃AlC_x, Fe₃Al and ordered FeAl phases evolved even at a low temperature of 400°C. The presence of carbide phase was attributed to the free carbon originating from the organic process control agent while its formation at low temperature was correlated to fast diffusion of C in the lattice assisted by the nanocrystalline structure coupled with the presence of thermal vacancies in the Fe–40 at% Al alloy. The as-sintered composite showed improved mechanical properties.

Keywords:

• Intermetallics
• Iron-aluminide
• Milling
• Nanocomposite
• Nanocrystalline
• Sintering

Notes

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