Development of nano-structured Al–Si–Fe based bulk alloys from atomized powders

We report on the microstructure and mechanical properties of nano-structured Al–Si–Fe based bulk alloy prepared using two or three processing steps consisting of the pre-compaction of the powders and subsequent forging, with or without a sintering step. rosity of the present alloys produced using two or three processing steps could be reduced to less than 0.5% by paying careful attention to the forging temperature. The alloy produced using two processing steps showed a finer microstructure than that fabricated using three processing steps including a sintering stage. The alloy produced using two processing steps showed a yield strength of 490 MPa, which was much higher than that obtained in the alloy produced using three processing steps, without any large sacrificing of ductility.