Rapid consolidation of FeAl–Fe₃AlC_x ultrafine composites by mechanically activated field-assisted technique

Rapid sintering of FeAl based ultrafine composites by a mechanically activated field-assisted process was evaluated. The influence of applied load and isothermal holding time on the as-sintered microstructure and mechanical properties was investigated. Hardness of the nanocomposite was determined by micro- and nano-indentation techniques, while the grain size was ascertained from electron backscatter diffraction and image analysis of scanning electron micrographs. A higher applied load as well as the isothermal holding time led to better dispersion of the in situ grown Fe₃AlC_x carbide particles in FeAl matrix. Significant improvement in the hardness and marginal rise in elastic constant were also observed in the fast sintered ultrafine composites when compared to previous reports. The increase in hardness was attributed to the presence of a carbide phase and fine-grained microstructure