An overview is given on materials developments of ferritic and Fe3Al-based iron aluminium alloys with strengthening precipitate phases for high-temperature applications currently underway at the Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH (MPIE). The development of high-temperature alloys for structural applications is to be focussed on optimisation of strength, creep and corrosion resistance at high temperatures and sufficient ductility at lower temperatures. This is discussed with respect to recent studies on Fe-Al-based alloys with strengthening precipitates, such as κ-phase Fe3AlCx, MC-carbides, Laves phase, and the B2-ordered intermetallic phase NiAl. The following alloy systems have been investigated: Fe-Al-X (X=C, Ti, Ta, Mo, Zr), Fe-Al-Ti-Nb, Fe-Al-Ni-Cr, and Fe-Al-M-C (M=Ti, V, Nb, Ta).
The investigations have been focussed on the microstructure, constitution, mechanical properties, and high-temperature corrosion behaviour of Fe-Al-based alloys with Al contents ranging from 10 to 30 at. %.