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% Сr$_2$O$_3, 65.9% Fe, and 25% Al by mass and self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SPHTS) have been carried out by Mössbauer spectroscopy methods. It was found that a FeAlCr$_2$O$_3$ composite with a small Fe$_2$Al$_5$ 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$_{0.70-x}$Сr$_{x}$Al$_{0.3}$ ($x=$0-0.2)/Al$_2$O$_3$ composite.