Fabrication of bulk nanocrystalline Fe-C alloy by spark plasma sintering of mechanically milled powder

Fully dense bulk nanocrystalline Fe-0.8wt.%C alloy was synthesized by spark plasma sintering of mechanically milled Fe-C nanocrystalline powder. The sample sintered at 600 °C was composed of 150 nm ferrite grains with nanocrystalline cementite dispersoids, whose compression yield strength, fracture strength, and plastic strain were 1900 MPa, 3500 MPa, and 40%, respectively.