Structure evolution of Fe-50%Al coating prepared by mechanical alloying

Abstract

The deposition of Fe-50%Al coating (in at%) on low carbon steel was successfully prepared by using mechanical alloying (MA). The coating process was performed in a shaker mill with variation of milling times from 30 minute to 180 minutes. The deposited coating was then heat treated at 600°C for 2 hour in a vacuum furnace of 5.6 Pa. The structure evolution of mechanical alloyed samples before and after heat treatment was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The results revealed that before heat treatment, the deposited coating on low carbon steel is composed of Fe and Al. The Fe(Al) solid solution was mostly formed after 180 minutes of milling time. Metallographic observation indicated that the surface of Fe-Al coating was rough and the coating thickness was increased with increasing milling time. Meanwhile, the heat treatment process led to structural evolution by forming FeAl intermetallic phase on the surface of low carbon steel.