Enhanced ductility of dendrite-ultrafine eutectic composite Fe₃B alloy prepared by a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis

A dendrite-ultrafine eutectic composite Fe₃B bilk alloy was synthesized by using self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) processing technique with an in situ formed composite microstructure that is convenient, low-cost, and capable of being scaled up. Quasi-static uniaxial compressive tests of the alloy were performed at room temperature wit a crosshead speed of 6 × 10^-4 s^-1. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of Fe₃B alloy display the presence of t-Fe₂-B and α-Fe phases, indicating small grain/domain sizes. The alloys display a dendrite-ultrafine eutectic composite and equiaxed colonies that are homogeneously distributed with an average colony size of 8∓5μm and dendrite trunk thickness and spacing of 5∓3 and 15∓5μm respectively.