Qualitative and quantitative description of microstructure of alloys from the Fe-Al system

Abstract

The paper presents the test results of qualitative and quantitative analysis of the structure of alloys from Fe-Al system after casting and heat treatment. The analysis were carried out for three alloys, with different content of Al at.%: 36, 38, 48 at %, which were produced by melting and gravity casting. A quantitative evaluation of the structure was made with use of "MET-ILO" application on the basis of images acquired from a light microscope. Moreover the influence of the chemical composition and results of quantitative description of microstructure on the hardness of alloys from the aluminium - iron system were analysed. The obtained research will be used for the development of mathematical models determining the influence of primary structure on the opportunities for plastic deformation of alloys. Structural examination was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). X-ray diffraction measurements were performed on this alloys.