Preparation of High-Quality FeV55N Using Ammonia as a Reductant and Nitrogen Source

High-quality FeV55N has been prepared by using ammonia as a reductant and nitrogen source. The raw materials comprised ammonium vanadate and Fe2O3, which were first reduced and nitrided by ammonia to prepare FeV55N composite powders of VN and Fe2N. Subsequently, the composite powders were sintered at high temperature to obtain a bulk FeV55N alloy. The final products obtained by this method do not contain elemental Al, Si, or C impurities. Furthermore, the residual oxygen content of the final products can be reduced to 0.56wt.%. After sintering, it is possible to obtain a FeV55N alloy with a density of up to 5.4g/cm(3).