Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 January 2015
Fe-Al alloys with about 55 to 65 at.% Al undergo a eutectoid transformation at 1095 °C: Fe5Al8 (ε) ↔ FeAl + FeAl2. Hence, as-cast Fe-Al alloys in this composition range show a very fine-scaled lamellar microstructure (average lamellar spacing below 500 nm) consisting of the two phases FeAl and FeAl2. The microstructure looks similar to the α2 + γ lamellar microstructure of Ti-Al-based alloys, which is known for having well-balanced properties in terms of creep, ductility and strength. However, there is limited knowledge about the properties of Fe-Al-based alloys in this composition range. In this study, a series of as-cast as well as heat-treated Fe-Al alloys with compositions between 57 and 63 at.% Al were investigated. The microstructures and crystal structures were analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The composition dependence of all transition temperatures was obtained by differential thermal analysis (DTA).