Mechanical properties of rapidly solidified Fe-Al-B ternary alloys

In this work, the influence of Al and B concentration on the constituent phases and the mechanical properties of Fe(100-x-y)Al(x)B(y) (0 < x <= 35, 0 < y <= 25, and x + y <= 50) ternary alloys produced by copper mould casting was investigated. In this composition range, the rapidly solidified alloys contain two crystalline phases: alpha-Fe(Al) solid solution and Fe(2)B compound. Contour maps of compressive strength (sigma(c)) and fracture strain (epsilon(f)) are plotted according to the quasi-static compression test results of the as-cast Fe-Al-B rods. These rapidly solidified Fe-Al-B crystalline alloys, such as Fe(55)Al(30)B(15) as a typical sample, can show an ultra-high sigma(c) up to similar to 3 GPa and a certain plasticity (similar to 5%). The formation of ultrafine eutectics and solid-solution strengthening of Al substitutional solution in alpha-Fe are considered to be responsible for the considerable improvement of strength. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.