Investigation of the reaction between Fe2O3 and Al accomplished by Ball Milling and Self-Propagating High-Temperature techniques

In this work we investigate the mechanism of product formation of the aluminothermic reaction of Fe2O3 in the presence of Al2O3 using Ball Milling and Self-propagating High-temperature techniques. Results obtained by experiments under either argon or air atmosphere are analysed by X-ray diffraction and Mossbauer spectroscopy, together with microstructure observations. It is shown that ball milling products are strongly affected by the kind of atmosphere, while self-propagating high-temperature ones are only weakly influenced. Reaction mechanisms taking place in these cases are proposed. While ball milling involves only solid state reactions, the formation of a melt occurs under self-propagating high-temperature conditions.