Enhanced ductility in coarse grained Fe3Al alloys

Microstructural and textural evolution during high temperature deformation of a Fe3Al based alloy have been characterized using transmission electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction. A large number of dislocation boundaries with very low misorientation angles and high dislocation density were observed in the matrix of deformed grains in the strain range 0.2–1.26 (fracture strain). A 〈110〉 fibre texture was observed in the sample deformed to failure, which can be accounted for by the activation of 〈111〉 slip in the B2 structured Fe3Al. The microstructural and textural evolution, combined with the measured strain rate sensitivity and activation energy for deformation suggests that the deformation is controlled by a glide controlled dislocation mechanism.