Large-scale Fe-C nanoeutectic alloy prepared by a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis casting route

It is a challenge to prepare large-scale bulk nanostructured materials by simple and low-cost processing. Large-scale bulk nanostructured Fe1.87C0.13 (Fe-6.5 at.% C) material with 80-100 nm lamellar eutectic and dimensions of 100 mm (diameter) × 8 mm has been successfully synthesized by a simple and inexpensive self-propagating high-temperature synthesis casting route. The nanostructured Fe1.87C0.13 material exhibits high yield strength (1300 MPa) and good ductility (∼40%) in compressive testing. The mechanism of nanostructure formation is discussed.