Grain growth behaviour and consolidation of ball-milled nanocrystalline Fe–10Cr alloy

Nanocrystalline iron–chromium alloys may provide considerable corrosion resistance, even at low chromium contents. However, processing of such alloys could be a challenge. This paper describes successful synthesis of nanocrystalline Fe–10%Cr alloy by ball-milling route. In the absence of suitable hot compaction facility, the alloy powder could be successfully compacted close to the desired density, by employing a step of prior annealing of the powder. Grain growth behaviour of Fe–10%Cr nanocrystalline alloy was investigated at 500, 600 and 700 °C. At 500 °C, no appreciable grain growth was observed, after the initial grain growth. However, sudden and rapid grain growth was observed after 90 min at 600 °C, and 30 min at 700 °C.