Preparation and mechanical properties of large-ingot Fe3Al-based alloys

Recent improvements of room temperature ductility and high temperature strength have shown that Fe3Al-based alloys could start their cut-and-try commercial applications in industry. This paper presents the results on development of large-ingot Fe3Al-based alloys, including melting, thermomechanical processing and mechanical properties. A large ingot weighing 269 kg, with a high quality surface was fabricated by vacuum induction melting. Conventional thermomechanical processes were used to produce bars, sheets and seamless tubes. By controlling the thermomechanical treatment, a room temperature ductility with a value of more than 10% was achieved which is only a little lower than that prepared in the laboratory. The creep lifetime at 600 degreesC and 200 MPa was more than 2000 h after annealing. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.