Study on Formation Process of Spinel (MgAl2O4) Particles Through In Situ Reactions of Fe2O3 Powder in Al–Mg Melts
摘要
Al-Fe alloys have high thermal resistance ability but low strength, plasticity, and hardness due to the coarse Al3Fe phases separating the soft Al matrix. This work aims to prepare spinel (MgAl2O4) particle-reinforced Al–Fe composite by in situ reactions of Fe2O3 powder in an Al-Mg melts. The formation process of spinel particles and microstructure was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results show that the in situ reactions were govern by diffusion of Mg, Al and O elements and completed at 900 ℃ for 25 min. Mg addition improved the wettability of Al melts to Fe2O3 particles. Spinel particles less than 0.6 μm in size were uniformly distributed in Al matrix. The fine spinel crystals had coherent relationships such as