Microstructural examination of oxidized Fe(14−x)Nb5Bx alloy produced from powders prepared by mechanical alloying

Abstract

In the present study, ferrous niobium, ferrous boron and iron were used as starting powders. The mixture of the powders which were calculated to give the designed compositions was prepared by using planetary high energy ball mill. Mechanically alloyed powders were pressed and sintered at 1350 ◦C for 120 min in Ar atmosphere. The cyclic oxidation experiments were carried out in an electrical furnace at 650, 750 and 850 ◦C in open atmosphere for 96 h. The specimens were periodically weighed for the determination of weight change. Before and after oxidation, the present phases of the samples were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The microstructural characterizations were realized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDS attachment.