Microstructure and Phase Transformation in Fe₂₀Co₂₀Ni₂₀Cr₂₀B_20−xSi_x Alloys Prepared by Mechanical Alloying

Abstract

In this study, microstructure and phase transformation behavior in Fe₂₀Co₂₀Ni₂₀Cr₂₀B_20−xSi_x alloys prepared by the mechanical alloying (MA) method were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The Fe₂₀Co₂₀Ni₂₀Cr₂₀B_20−xSi_x alloys prepared by the melt-spinning method were composed of FCC and compounds, and the FCC and BCC phases predicted by the valance electron concentration parameter were not formed. However, alloy powders prepared by the MA method were revealed to be composed of the FCC and BCC phases. Small amounts of unreacted pure B and Si particles were observed in alloy powders with high and low B content, respectively. XRD and DSC measurements revealed that the BCC phase in MA powder disappeared, and compounds were formed by heating up to 700°C. Especially the compound formation temperature was higher than that of the same alloy prepared by the melt-spinning method, suggesting that the thermal stability of the alloy powders prepared by the MA method was higher than that of the alloy ribbons prepared by the melt-spinning method.