Abstract: The nanocrystallic Al_93.3-xFe_4.3V_0.7Si_1.7Nd_x (x=0, 1.0,3.0)alloy powder was fabricated by mechanical alloying, and the microstructural evolution of alloy powder during mechanical alloying and annealing treatment were studied. It was found that under the condition of vibration ball-milling for 96h,the microstructure of Al_93.3-xFe_4.3V_0.7Si_1.7Nd_x alloy powder still consisted of single α(Al) solid solution phase without the trace of presence of intermetalic compound; after the appropriate heat treatment, the microstructure of Al_93.3-xFe_4.3V_0.7Nd_x alloy powder consisted mainly of nanocrystallineα(Al) phase and α-Al₁₃(Fe,V)₃Si phase; the addition of rare earth Nd enhanced the grain refining and amorphous inclination of Al solid solution during mechanical alloying, and resulted in new phases formed after heat treatment.

Key words:  rare earth Nd; mechanical alloying; Al-Fe-V-Si-Nd alloy; α(Al) nanocrystalline; α Al₁₃(Fe,V)₃Si phase