| Future development of advanced engineered materials for high temperature structural applications will depend to an increasing extent on our ability to control the structure at the nanoscale level. Louat has proposed that materials with superior strength can be achieved by embedding a high volume fraction of relatively hard, impenetrable particles (preferably at nanoscale level) in a ductile matrix.;This research was undertaken to develop an iron base alloy containing a high volume fraction of nanograined (Fe,Mo);The powders were consolidated to theoretical density by pressureless sintering and hot pressing. In both cases, a bicontinuous structure was obtained. Pressureless sintering resulted in a relatively coarse carbide grain size of 0.6-1.5 ;In contrast to conventional high speed M2 tool steels, this new class of high volume fraction hard phase reinforced iron alloys displays superior hardness (800 to 1000 Vickers) up to 500... |
