Combustion Synthesis of Cast Iron Aluminides from a Fe2O3 + Al Mixture

Abstract

This paper reports the preparation of cast iron aluminides from thermite-type highly exothermic mixtures at atmosphere pressure in air. We have studied general aspects of combustion during the synthesis process and evaluated the ingot yield of the synthesized iron aluminides and the relative weight loss of the starting mixture components and final products in the combustion process. The chemical and phase compositions of three synthesized cast phase-pure iron aluminides—Fe₃Al, FeAl, and Fe₂Al₅—have been determined, their microstructures have been studied, and their microhardness has been measured.