Phase equilibria among η-Fe₂Al₅ and its higher-ordered phases

Abstract

Phase equilibria among the η-Fe₂Al₅ phase and its higher-ordered phases with the η framework structure were determined experimentally. The solubility range of the η phase at elevated temperature does not differ remarkably from that in previous studies, but this phase is found to undergo complicated phase transformations upon cooling. Four phases are present, namely η’, η”, η”’ and ηm, with higher-order atomic orderings in the c-axis chain sites of the orthorhombic crystal structure of the parent η phase. The η” and η”’ phases form on the Al-poor and Al-rich sides, respectively, in equilibrium with the ζ-FeAl₂ phase below ~415°C and θ-Fe₄Al₁₃ phase below ~405°C. The η’ and ηm phases become stable below 312°C and 343°C with the peritectoid reactions η’ → ηm + η”’ and ηm → η + η”, respectively. The η phase is not stable below 331°C with the eutectoid reaction of ηm + η”’ → η. On the basis of these findings, we unraveled the phase equilibria among the η-Fe₂Al₅ phase and its higher-ordered phases with the η framework structure.