Characterization of phases in complex metallic alloys Al73Mn27−xFex (x = 2, 4 and 6)

The characterization of phases in Al73Mn27−xFex (x = 2, 4 and 6) alloys was performed using X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy enabling energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Both the annealed and the thermally cycled states were studied. In the annealed states the occurrence of T-phase was expected, however it was confirmed for alloys Al73Mn25Fe2 and Al73Mn23Fe4 only. The annealing of the Al73Mn21Fe6 alloy probably led to the formation of decagonal quasicrystal (D). The T- and D-phases were found to be unstable at low temperatures. In the states after DTA the low temperature Al11(Mn,Fe)4 and γ2 phases were observed in the Al73Mn25Fe2 and Al73Mn21Fe6 alloys, while only the former phase was observed in the Al73Mn23Fe4 alloy.