PROCESSING OF HIGH-CARBON FE3AL BASED INTERMETALLIC ALLOY

A melting procedure for air induction melting (AIM) of an Fe3Al based intermetallic alloy Fe-15.38wt%Al-1.1wt%C is described. Use of an appr opriate slag cover during AIM results in elimination of hydrogen gas p orosity in cast AIM ingots. Criteria for slag selection and slag to me tal ratio are discussed. Refining by slag-metal reactions results in s ignificant reduction in impurity levels (S, O, N) during AIM. Conseque ntly, low cost raw materials such as mild steel scrap and commercial a luminium were used for melting the alloy. The AIM ingot exhibited exce llent tensile properties. The ductility and hot workability of the ing ot may be further improved by subsequent processing through electrosla g remelting. It is also argued that the presence of carbon may be nece ssary to get AIM castings with desirable mechanical properties. (C) 19 98 Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reserved.