The objective of the work is to synthesize nanostructured FeAl alloy powder by mechanical alloying (MEA). The work concentrates on the synthesis, characterization, and structural and mechanical properties of the alloy. Nanostructured FeAl intermetallics are prepared directly by MEA in a highenergy ball mill. Milling is performed under toluene solution to avoid contamination from the milling media and atmosphere. Mixtures of elemental Fe and Al are progressively transformed into a partially disordered solid solution with an average composition of Fe–50 at.% Al. Phase transformation, structural changes, morphology, particle size measurement, and chemical composition during MEA are investigated by X ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Vickers microhardness (VMH) indentation tests are performed on the powders. The XRD and SEM studies reveal the alloying of elemental powders as well as transition to nanostructured alloy; crystallite size of 18 nm is obtained after 28 h of milling. Expansion/contraction in lattice parameter accompanied by reduction in crystallite size occurs during transition to nanostructured alloy. Longer milling introduces ordering in the alloyed powders as proved by the presence of superlattice reflection. Elemental and alloyed phases coexist while hardness increases during MEA.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Negri, A.R. Yavari, and A. Deriu, Acta Mater., 47 (1999), No. 18, pp. 4545–4554.
M. M. Rico, J. M. Greneche, and A. G. A. Perez, J. Alloys Compd., 398 (2005), pp. 26–32.
D. Oleszak, and P. H. Shingu, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 181–182 (1994), pp. 1217–1221.
B. Huang, K. N. Ishihara, and P. H. Shingu, Mater. Sci. Eng., A231 (1997), pp. 72–79.
D. A. Eelman, J. R. Dahn, G. R. Mackay, and R. A. Dunlap, J. Alloys Compd., 266 (1998), pp. 234–240.
M. Hashii, Mater. Sci. Forum 312–314 (1999), pp.139–144.
M. Krasnowski, A. Grabias, and T. Kulik, J. Alloys Compd., 424 (2006), pp.119–127.
Hongwei Shi, Debo Guo, and Yifang Ouyang, J. Alloys Compd. (2007).
Sebastian, N. Lakshmi, and K. Venugopal, Intermetallics (2007), pp. 1–7.
E. Jartych , J. K. Zurawicz, D. Oleszak, and M. Pekala, Nanostructured Materials, 12 (1999), pp. 927–930.
Run-Hua Fan, Jia-Tao Sun, and Hong-Yu Gong, et al., Powder Tech., 149 (2005), pp. 121–126.
Q. Zeng and I. Baker, Intermetallics 14 (2006), pp. 396–405.
M. A. Morris-Munoz, A. Dodge, and D. G. Morris, Nanostructured Materials, 11 (1999), No.7, pp. 873–885.
X. Amils, J. Nogues, S. Surinach, et al., Nanostructured Materials, 11 (1999), No. 6, pp. 689–695.
R. A. Varin, T. Czujko, J. Bystrzycki, and A. Calka, Mater. Sci. Eng., A329–331 (2002), pp. 213–221.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Published in Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, Vol. 48, No. 11–12 (470), pp. 37–50, 2009.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rajath Hegde, M.M., Surendranathan, A.O. Phase transformation, structural evolution, and mechanical property of nanostructured feal as a result of mechanical alloying. Powder Metall Met Ceram 48, 641–651 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11106-010-9181-0
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11106-010-9181-0