Synthesis of FeAl–TiC nanocomposite powder via mechanical alloying and subsequent annealing

Abstract

FeAl–TiC nanocomposite was successfully synthesised by the ball milling of Fe, Al, Ti and graphite powder mixture. The structural and morphological evolutions of the powders were studied by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy respectively. Results show that reactions forming of FeAl and TiC began after 6 h of milling and completed after 12 h of milling. The minimum mean grain size and maximum microstrain values of FeAl were 5·5 nm and 1·8% at the end of milling. Maximum microhardness value of the 12 h milled and annealed powder was 8·75 GPa. Scanning electron microscopy images and particle size measurement showed that very fine spheroid particles (3·4 μm) were prepared at the end of milling.