Metastable phases of Al–Fe system by mechanical alloying

The preparation and characterization of metastable phases of the Al–Fe alloy system by mechanical alloying are reported. In Al-rich (up to 10 at.% Fe) alloys, the supersaturated f.c.c. solid solution of Fe in Al (up to 1 at.% Fe) is formed. Almost complete amorphization is confirmed in the composition range 17–33 at.% Fe. The metastable disordered b.c.c. solid solution of about 10 nm in grain size has also been formed by ball-milling for over 180 h in Fe-rich (above 50 at.% Fe) alloys. Examination of lattice parameter and magnetization have shown that the composition range and degree of disorder are comparable to those formed by crushing and sputter deposition.