Reaction sintering of an Fe-6 Wt Pct B-48 Wt Pct Mo alloy in the presence of liquid phases

Abstract

The mechanism of liquid phase sintering of an Fe-6 wt pct B-48 wt pct Mo alloy was investigated by means of thermal dilatometry, differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A fine composite microstructure of Mo₂FeB₂ and ferrite was produced from powders of Fe, Mo, and FeB by a reaction sintering process involving two liquid phases. The hard phase Mo₂FeB₂ is produced in the compact prior to liquid formation initially by the reaction 2Mo+2FeB=Mo₂FeB₂+Fe and later by the reaction 2Mo+2Fe₂B=Mo₂FeB₂+ 3Fe. Above 1365K, considerable densification results from the initial stage rearrangement of the solid phases (austenite and Mo₂FeB₂) coexisting with the first formed liquid phase (L₁). Another liquid (L₂) which forms above 1415K, where Mo₂FeB₂ is the only coexisting solid phase, is required for complete densification. L₂, having a high solubility for Mo₂FeB₂, provides for solution/reprecipitation processes which characterize the intermediate stage of liquid phase sintering. The effective separation of the initial and intermediate stages by L₁ and L₂ is considered essential for the control of the sintered microstructure of the ternary alloy.