A novel way to make Fe3Al/Al2O3 composite

Mechanical smearing and hot isostatic pressing routes have been adopted to make Fe3Al-4 vol.% Al2O3 composite, using very fine size Al2O3 particles. In this way compacts with density close to the theoretical density have been produced. Vickersʹ microhardness values of 390 and 500 HV have been achieved for the Fe3Al and Fe3Al-Al2O3 materials respectively, indicating a strengthening of the matrix in the composite. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis studies confirm the presence of Al2O3 as a smeared coating on the Fe3Al in the composite, and from ultra-microindentation studies the coating thickness is ascertained to be between 0.6 and 1 μm.