Excellent mechanical properties are often found in bulk nanocrystalline materials. However, it is a major challenge to find a method of processing that is convenient, has a low cost, and a capacity to be scaled up. Bulk nanocrystalline Fe3Al-based material with a MnAl1.11S1.89 contamination phase has been successfully synthesized (see figure) by making use of a simple aluminothermic reaction route.