Characterization of mechanically alloyed Fe based and MoNiAl+Al2O3 reinforced composites

Fe-MoNiAl-Al2O3 powders were mechanically alloyed by a SPEX type attritor. The Fe based composite samples were reinforced with complex mechanically alloyed Fe-MoNiAl-Al2O3 particles in different ratios and Fe matrix composites were obtained. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), elemental surface mapping and microhardness tests were used to analyze the microstructures of the composites. The sintered composites showed that thin Al2O3 particles were dispersed. High volume fractions of the reinforcement having nanometer dimensions were produced in metallic matrices. Additionally, as the content of Al2O3 increased, the microhardness increased, which indicates that fine Al2O3 particles had a reinforcing effect.