Mechanical properties of porous Fe-Al intermetallics.

The effects of Al content and porosity on the mechanical properties of porous Fe-Al intermetallics, particularly at high temperatures, were determined using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and mechanical properties testing. Results show that the optimal mechanical properties are achieved at 20 to 30 wt-%Al content. The tensile and bend strengths decrease with increasing Al content at 35 to 60 wt-%Al content. The quantitative relationship between porosity and strength for porous Fe-Al intermetallics can be described as σb = 181(1−θ)3.3. The strength of porous Fe-Al intermetallics increases at medium temperature with the increase in temperature from room temperature. The maximum tensile strength (50.2 MPa) is achieved at 600°C, which is almost 36.8% higher than that at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]