Microstructures and mechanical properties of Fe3Al-based Fe-Al-C alloys

In this paper results on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Fe3Al-based Fe-Al-C alloys with strengthening precipitates of the perovskite-type κ-phase Fe3AlCx are presented. The alloys are prepared by vacuum induction melting and cast into Cu-moulds. The composition of the Fe3Al matrix of the investigated Fe-Al-C alloys varies between 23 and 29 at.% Al. The ternary C-additions range from 1 to 3 at.%. The microstructures of the alloys are characterised by means of light optical microscopy (LOM). Phase identification is performed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD). The strength of the alloys as a function of temperature is determined through compression tests. The room-temperature ductility is evaluated by tensile tests. The fracture surfaces of the tensile specimens are analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).