The influence of thermo-mechanical treatment on the structure and plasticity of FeAl intermetallic phase–base alloy

Alloys based on intermetallic phases from the Fe-Al system they belong to a group of high-temperature creep resisting materials of advantageous physicochemical and mechanical properties at an elevated and high temperature. In general, limitation on the capacity for a broad application of intermetals from the Fe-Al system, e.g. as an alternative to expensive alloy steels of specific properties, is their insufficient plasticity, which is a factor inhibiting further their development as constructional materials. Under this study, research has been conducted on the capacity for forming alloys based on intermetallic phases from the Fe-Al system, via thermo-mechanical processing. In the present work, the possibility of forming Fe-Al-intermetallic-phase-based alloys in thermo-mechanical treatment (TMT) has been studied. After casting and annealing, alloy specimens were subjected to axial-symmetric compression in the Gleeble 3800 simulator in the range of 700–1200 °C at 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 10 s−1 strain rates. In order to analyze the processes which take place during deformation, the specimens after deformation were intensely cooled with water. Structural examination was carried out using light and electron microscopy. The impact of hot rolling process parameters on the structure of intermetallic-phase-based FeAl alloys and properties has been determined. The results will constitute the basis for modelling the structural changes in FeAl intermetallic alloy.