Microstructure and Properties of Fe3Al-Fe3AlC x Composite Prepared by Reactive Liquid Processing

• DOI: 10.1007/s11663-017-1161-z
• Publication Date: 2017-12-21T17:44:57Z
• Authors: Maria Nalu Verona; Dalmarino Setti; Ramón Sigifredo C...
• Keywords: 0103 physical sciences; 01 natural sciences

A Fe3Al-Fe3AlC x composite was prepared using reactive liquid processing (RLP) through controlled mixture of carbon steel and aluminum in the liquid state. The microstructure and phases of the composite were assessed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, optical microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. In addition, the density, hardness, microhardness, and elastic modulus were evaluated. The Fe3Al-Fe3AlC x composite consisted of 65 vol pct Fe3Al and 35 vol pct Fe3AlC x (κ). The κ phase contained 10.62 at. pct C, resulting in the stoichiometry Fe3AlC0.475. The elastic modulus of the Fe3Al-Fe3AlC0.475 composite followed the rule of mixtures. The RLP technique was shown to be capable of producing Fe3Al-Fe3AlC0.475 with a microstructure and properties similar to those achieved using other processing techniques reported in the literature.