Microstructure and properties of Fe₃Al-Fe₃ AlC_0.5 composites prepared by self-propagating high temperature synthesis casting

Fe₃Al composite materials with 40, 60 and 80 wt.% Fe₃AlC_0.5 were fabricated by self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) casting processing and analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Microhardness, bending strength and wear rate of the composites were measured. The materials mainly consisted of Fe₃Al and Fe₃AlC_0.5 phases. The adherence of the reinforcement and the matrix was good. There were no cracks at the interface of the phases in the materials. Hardness of the composites increased with Fe₃AlC_0.5 fraction. Bending strength of the composites was high and that of the composite with 60 wt.% Fe₃AlC_0.5 was the highest. Wear rates of the composites were low and those of the composites with 60 and 80 wt.% Fe₃AlC_0.5 were lower than that of the composite with 40 wt.% Fe₃ AlC_0.5.