Microstructure and properties of Fe3Al–Fe3AlC0.5 composites prepared by self-propagating high temperature synthesis casting

Fe3Al composite materials with 40, 60 and 80 wt.% Fe3AlC0.5 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 Fe3AlC0.5 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 Fe3AlC0.5 fraction. Bending strength of the composites was high and that of the composite with 60 wt.% Fe3AlC0.5 was the highest. Wear rates of the composites were low and those of the composites with 60 and 80 wt.% Fe3AlC0.5 were lower than that of the composite with 40 wt.% Fe3AlC0.5.