Four intermetallic-based alloys were evaluated for cutting blade applicatio
ns. These alloys included Fe3Al-based (FAS-II and FA-129), FeAl-based (PM-6
0) and Ni3Al-based (IC-50). These alloys were of interest because of their
much higher work-hardening rates than the conventionally used carbon and st
ainless steels. The FeAl-based PM-60 alloy was of further interest because
of its hardening possibility through retention of vacancies. The vacancy re
tention treatment is much simpler than the heat treatments used for hardeni
ng of steel blades. Blades of four intermetallic alloys and commercially us
ed M2 tool steel blades were evaluated under identical conditions to cut tw
o-ply heavy paper. Comparative results under identical conditions revealed
that the FeAl-based alloy PM-60 outperformed the other intermetallic alloys
and was equal to or somewhat better than the commercially used M2 tool ste
el. (C) Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.