Redistribution of chromium atoms between the components of an intermetallic/oxide nanocomposite in the course of its production

Structural studies of nanocomposites produced by the method combining mechanical preactivation of the mixture comprising 8.1% Cr₂O₃, 65.9% Fe, and 25% Al by mass and self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SPHTS) have been carried out by Mössbauer spectroscopy methods. It was found that a Fe/Al/Cr₂O₃ composite with a small Fe₂Al₅ intermetallic impurity is produced at the mechanical activation stage. At the SPHTS stage, interaction between the activated components of the mixture results in formation of the Fe_0.70?x Cr _x Al_0.3/Al₂O₃ (x = 0–0.2) composite.