In 1996, Kamey[1] said the mechanism was not fully understood, but offered a hypothesis that it could reduce hydrogen embrittlement via its ability to stabilise the FeAl phase.
[1] Other explanations have included that chromium could facilitate slipping via crystal dislocations, and that it could contribute to surface passivation and prevent embrittling water reactions.
Production from direct melting of Al and Fe is economical, but any water in the charge produces issues with the generation of hydrogen which shows solubility in the iron aluminide, leading to gas voids.
The two most common methods to increase the creep resistance of FeAl are solid solution strengthening and precipitation hardening.
[7] Similarly, Ti based carbides have been shown to have high creep resistance at low stresses, consistent with the precipitation strengthening mechanism.
[9] Thanks to the good combination of mechanical and oxidation properties, iron aluminide has been successfully used as a binder phase for tungsten carbides.
[10][11] Also, replacing Cobalt in conventional WC-Co cermets with FeAl in the Laser cladding process caused improving oxidation and wear properties.