Phase transformation in an Fe-9.0AI-29.5Mn-1.2Si alloy

The microstructure of an (α + γ) duplex Fe-9.0Al-29.5Mn-l.2Si alloy has been investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy. In the as-quenched condition, extremely fine D0₃ particles were formed within the ferrite matrix by a continuous ordering transition during quenching. After being aged at 550 °C, the extremely fine D0₃ particles existing in the as-quenched specimen grew preferentially along (100) directions. With increasing the aging time at 550 °C, a (Si, Mn)-rich phase (designated as "L phase") began to appear at the regions contiguous to the D0₃ particles. The L phase has never been observed in various Fe-Al-Mn, Fe-Al-Si, Fe-Mn-Si, and Mn-Al-Si alloy systems before. When the as-quenched specimen was aged at temperatures ranging from 550 °C to 950 °C, the phase transformation sequence occurring within the (α + D0₃) region as the aging temperature increases was found to be (α + D0₃ + L phase) → (α + D0₃ + A13 β-Mn)→ (B2 + D0₃ + A13 β-Mn)→ (B2 + A13β-Mn)→ (α + A13 β-Mn)→ (α +γ)→α.