Property Channges of Fe-N Prepared by Reduction-Sintering Method with Heat Treatment

While much is known about the large magnetic moment of Fe8 N thin films, little work has been done on bulk FeN material. Bulk FeN was prepared by pressure-forming ¿-Fe2O3 powder, reduction in H2 and sintering at 700 to 800°C in NH3-H2, followed by gradual cooling or by quenching from different temperatures. It was found that under appropriate conditions (sintering temperature 700°C, PNH3 = 0.5), this reduction-sintering process can be used to obtain stable single-phase Fe4N. Further studies on quenching and other heat treatment are underway to produce Fe8N from this Fe4 N material.