Microstructural and corresponding hardness changes of TiFe compounds with Zr (0~6 at%) or Ce (0~3 at%) were studied using samples prepared at different solidification rates. In arc-melted (TiFe)-Zr samples, the $Fe_{23}$ $Zr_6$ and $(Ti,\;Zr)_2Fe$ phases formed in the TiFe matrix, while in the (TiFe)-Ce sample, the $CeO_2$ phase formed along the grain boundary of the TiFe matrix. As the Zr content was increased, the volume fractions of the $Fe_{23}$ $Zr_6$ and $(Ti,\;Zr)_2Fe$ phases increased, forming a network structure. Accordingly, the hardness values of the samples also increased. With a small addition of Ce of approximately 0.1 at%, the as-cast microstructure could be effectively refined, reducing the average grain boundary diameter from ${\sim}100{\mu}m$ to ${\sim}14{\mu}m$. In the rapidly solidified sample prepared through a melt-spinning method, the constituent phases were identical to those of the arc-melted samples while the grains were refined. The microstructural changes of TiFe alloys can affect the hydrogen storage ability as well as the mobility of the hydrogen atoms in the alloys.

In this study, the mechanical characteristics and microstructure of hypereutectic Al-17Si-5Fe extruded alloys prepared by a rapid solidification process (RSP) were investigated. The hypereutectic Al alloy was fabricated by means of RSP and permanent casting. For RSP, the Al alloy melted at $920^{\circ}C$, cooling the specimens at a rate of $10^6^{\circ}C/s$ when the RSP was used, thus allowing the refining of primary Si particles more than when using permanent casting, at a rate of about 91%. We tested an extrusion RSP billet and a permanent-cast billet. Before the hot-extrusion process, heating to $450^{\circ}C$ took place for one hour. The samples were then hotextruded with a condition of extrusion ratio of 27 and a ram speed of 0.5 mm/s. Microstructural analyses of the extruded RSP method and the permanent casting method were carried out with OM and SEM-EDS mapping. The mechanical properties in both cases were evaluated by Vickers micro-hardness, wear resistance and tensile tests. It was found that when hypereutectic Al-17Si-5Fe alloys were fabricated by a rapid solidification method, it becomes possible to refine Si and intermetallic compounds. During the preparation of the hypereutectic Al-17Si-5Fe alloy by the rapid solidification method, the pressure of the melting crucible was low, and at faster drum speeds, smaller grain alloy flakes could be produced. Hot extrusion of the hypereutectic Al-17Si-5Fe alloy during the rapid solidification method required higher pressure levels than hot extrusion of the permanent mold-casted alloy. However, it was possible to produce an extruded material with a better surface than that of the hot extruded material processed by permanent mold casting.