Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior of FeNiMnAl Eutectic Alloys

Funded by the National Science Foundation

The objective of this project is to understand and model the microstructure and deformation mechanisms controlling the strength and ductility as a function of temperature and strain rate for different lamellar spacings in a recently-discovered, high-strength, ductile, two-phase, FeNiMnAl eutectic alloy, Fe₃₀Ni₂₀Mn₃₅Al₁₅, using state-of-the-art techniques. At Dartmouth College, work will focus on microstructural characterization, mechanical testing, determining deformation mechanisms and modeling. Microchemical measurements using a LEAP and microstructural characterization of interfaces using a Hitachi 3300 HRTEM will be performed through collaborations at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. While the work is focused on a particular eutectic alloy, it is expected that the resulting experimental observation-based modeling will have applicability to eutectic alloys as a whole providing a transformative paradigm for improving the strength and ductility of polycrystalline lamellar microstructures.