Mechanochemically Stimulated Reactions of the Reduction of Iron Oxide with Aluminum

The products of the mechanochemical reduction of iron oxide with aluminum have been studied by means of X-ray diffraction analysis, infrared and Mossbauer spectroscopy. It is shown that the products of the mechanochemical reaction at a stoichiometric ratio of iron oxide and aluminum contain iron, α‑Al2O3, and a large amount of spinel (hercynite), which slightly decreases with an increase in the time of mechanical activation. According to the Mossbauer spectroscopy data, the reduction of iron oxide proceeds faster with a twofold increase in the aluminum content as compared to the stoichiometric one, and the excess aluminum reacts with the reduced iron, forming intermetallic FexAly phases mainly the monoaluminide FeAl strengthened by α-Al2O3 particles. Upon a threefold excess of the aluminum content over the stoichiometric one, the mechanochemical reduction slows down and the amount of FexAly intermetallic compounds with a higher aluminum content increases in the final products of reaction.