Synthesis of Niobium η-Carbide Nb3(Fe,Al)3C by Mechanical Alloying in a Liquid Organic Medium

The η-carbide Nb3(Fe,Al)3C phase was synthesized for the first time by mechanical alloying of Nb, Al, and Fe in petroleum ether followed by annealing. The synthesis of carbide occurs due to carbon accumulated from the grinding medium. If mechanical alloying is performed using steel vials and balls, the composites based on η-carbide can be obtained without additional introduction of iron; contaminant iron is involved in the formation of Nb3(Fe,Al)3C.