Evaluation of Solid-Solution Hardening of Fe-27 at. pct Al by Vanadium and Comparison to Precipitation Strengthening by Vanadium Carbides
Abstract
The compressive yield stress of Fe-27Al-xV(-C) (x = 0 to 4 at. pct) at 1073 K (800 A degrees C) has been determined. The increase of the yield stress of Fe-Al by increasing vanadium content is explained by solid-solution hardening.
The experimentally observed values of the yield stress at 1073 K (800 A degrees C) are compared with the strengthening given by theories evaluating the interaction between solute atoms and dislocations. The experimental results fit well the increase of the yield stress by the interaction of the solute atoms with screw dislocations.
Further increase in yield strength in similar alloys due to vanadium carbides is documented. Precipitated carbides were identified by transmission electron microscopy and Kikuchi patterns.
Although precipitation of vanadium carbides increases the compressive yield stress, they also could result in premature failure in tension as their highly anisotropic shape may facilitate crack nucleation. (C) The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International 2015