Microstructural evolution in Al–Mn–Cu–(Be) alloys

This study investigates the effects of alloying elements on the microstructural evolution of Al-rich Al–Mn–Cu–(Be) alloys during solidification, and subsequent heating and annealing. The samples were characterised using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. In the ternary Al₉₄Mn₃Cu₃ (at%) alloy, the phases formed during slower cooling (≈1?K?s^?1) can be predicted by the known Al–Mn–Cu phase diagram. The addition of Be prevented the formation of Al₆Mn, decreased the fraction of τ₁-Al₂₉Mn₆Cu₄, and increased the fraction of Al₄Mn. During faster cooling (≈1000?K?s^?1), Al₄Mn predominantly formed in the ternary alloy, whereas, in the quaternary alloys, the icosahedral quasicrystalline phase dominated. Further heating and annealing of the alloys caused an increase in the volume fractions of τ₁ in all alloys and Be₄Al (Mn,Cu) in quaternary alloys, while fractions of all other intermetallic phases decreased. Solidification with a moderate cooling rate (≈1000?K?s^?1) caused considerable strengthening, which was reduced by annealing for up to 25% in the quaternary alloys, while hardness remained almost the same in the ternary alloy.     

63Cu NMR analysis of microstructure evolution in Al–Cu–Mg alloys

⁶³Cu NMR spectroscopy has been used to detect metastable Guinier–Preston–Bagaryatsky (GPB) zones and nanoscale precipitates of equilibrium S-phase (Al₂CuMg) in dilute alloys of aluminium containing copper and magnesium with compositions which lie in the α?+?S phase field. The GPB zones are observed to form rapidly at room temperature with a time development closely related to the Vickers hardness. The final development of S-phase in the alloy has been confirmed by the observation of a line shape in the alloy identical to that observed in a specimen prepared from stoichiometric Al₂CuMg. Analysis of the hyperfine structure of the ⁶³Cu line shape observed for S-phase shows clearly that two Cu sites are present with approximately equal population. This result suggests that possibly two crystallographically distinct Al₂CuMg phases are present. The addition of small amounts of silver to Al–Cu–Mg alloys in the α?+?θ phase field is known to induce the formation of Ω-phase: a slight distortion of tetragonal θ-phase Al₂Cu. A hyperfine-structured ⁶³Cu line shape assigned to Ω-phase, indicating one distinct Cu site, has been observed in two separate Al–1.7?at.%?Cu–0.33?at.%?Mg alloys containing 0.1 and 0.18?at.%?Ag, but not in the same Al–Cu–Mg alloy without Ag.     

Microstructure and texture development of 7075 alloy during homogenisation

The microstructure evolution of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy during homogenisation was studied by optical microscope, field emission scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction in detailed. It has been found that primary cast structure consisted of primary α (Al), lamellar eutectic structure η Mg(Zn, Cu, Al)₂ and a small amount of θ (Al₂Cu) phase. A transformation of primary eutectic phase from η Mg(Zn, Cu, Al)₂ to S (Al₂CuMg) was observed after 6 h of homogenisation treatment. The volume fraction of dendrite network structure and intermetallic phase was decreased with increase in holding time and finally disappeared after 96 h of homogenisation, which is consistent with the results of homogenisation kinetic analysis. Crystallographic texture of this alloy after casting and 96 h of homogenisation was also studied. It was found that casting process led the development of strong Goss, Brass, P and CuT components, while after homogenisation Cube, S and Copper components became predominant. Mechanical tests revealed higher hardness, yield strength and tensile strength for cast materials compared to homogenised alloys due to the presence of coarse micro-segregation of MgZn₂ phase. The significant improvement of ductility was observed after 96-h homogenisation, which was attributed to dissolution of second phase particles and grain coarsening. Fracture surfaces of the cast samples indicated the presence of shrinkage porosity and consequently failure occurred in the interdendritic regions or grain boundaries with brittle mode, while homogenised alloys failed under ductile mode as evident by the presence of fine dimple surfaces.     

Hybrid Al + Al3Ni metallic foams synthesized in situ via laser engineered net shaping

A hybrid, Al?+?Al₃Ni metallic foam was synthesized in situ via laser engineered net shaping (LENS®) of Ni-coated 6061 Al powder in the absence of a foaming agent. During LENS® processing, the Ni coating reacted with the Al matrix, resulting in the simultaneous formation of a fine dispersion of Al₃Ni, and a high volume fraction of porosity. As a reinforcement phase, the intermetallic compound formed particles with a size range of 1–5?µm and a volume fraction of 63%, with accompanying 35–300?µm pores with a 60% volume fraction. The microstructure of the as-deposited Al?+?Al₃Ni composite foams was characterized using SEM, EDS, XRD and TEM/HRTEM techniques. The evolution of the microstructure was analyzed on the basis of the thermal field present during deposition, paying particular attention to the thermodynamics of the Al₃Ni intermetallic compound formation as well as discussing the mechanisms that may be responsible for the observed porosity. The mechanical behavior of the as-deposited material was characterized using compression and microhardness testing, indicating that the yield strength and hardness are 190?MPa and 320 HV, respectively, which represents an increase of over three times higher than that of annealed Al6061, or similar to heat-treated Al6061 fully dense matrix, and much higher than those of traditional Al alloy foams, and with a low density of 1.64?g/m³.     

Powdering aluminium and aluminium alloys by ultrasound

Ultrasonic powdering of Al, Al/Sn, Al/Pb and Al/Al₂O₃ alloys is described. By constructing a suitable run-off vessel and introducing vibrator materials of high resistance, continuous powdering of Al and Al/Sn at 20 kHz can be achieved. Furthermore, by using a protective gas spray, spherical particles of about 60 μm diameter with only a slight oxide content can be obtained. Powder from the Al/Sn alloy has a fine distribution of components and a uniform grain structure. By powdering the Al/Al₂O₃ alloy, particles with an equally uniform distribution of foreign material can be produced. Similarly, aluminium particles with embedded spherical lead particles can be obtained.     

Texture transition in Al–Mg alloys: effect of magnesium

ABSTRACT

The evolution of deformation texture and microstructure in commercially pure Al (cp-Al) and two Al–Mg alloys (Al–4Mg and Al–6Mg) during cold rolling to a very large strain (true strain ε_t? ≈?3.9) was investigated. The development of deformation texture in cp-Al, after rolling, can be considered as pure metal or Copper-type, which is characterised mainly by the presence of Cu {112}<111>, Bs {110}<112> and S {123}<634> components. The deformation microstructure clearly indicates that deformation mechanism in this case remains slip dominated throughout the deformation range. In the Al–4Mg alloy, the initial slip mode of deformation is finally taken over by mechanism involving both slip and Copper-type shear bands, at higher deformation levels. In contrast, in the Al–6Mg alloy, the slip and twin mode of deformation in the initial stage is replaced by slip and Brass-type shear bands at higher deformation levels. Although a Copper-type deformation texture forms in the two Al–Mg alloys at the initial stage of deformation, there is a significant increase in the intensity of the Bs component and a noticeable decrease in the intensity of the Cu component at higher levels of deformation, particularly in the Al–6Mg alloy. This phenomenon indicates the possibility of transition of the deformation texture from Cu-type to Bs-type, which is concurrent with the addition of Mg. Using visco-plastic self-consistent modelling, the evolution of deformation texture could be simulated for all three materials.     

HRTEM study of the effect of deformation on the early precipitation behaviour in an AA6060 Al–Mg–Si alloy

The effect of 10% pre-ageing deformation on the early precipitation behaviour in an AA6060 Al–Mg–Si alloy aged 10?min at 190°C was investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) in ?100?Al projections. The precipitate nucleation was heterogeneous since all precipitates were found to grow on dislocation lines. The pre-ageing deformation suppresses growth of Gunier–Preston zones and β″ phase. The resulting precipitates are still largely coherent with the aluminium matrix. They appear with two main morphologies; one consists of independent, small cross-sections arising from needles with disordered β′ and B′ structures. The other morphology is a much more continuous decoration where precipitates have elongated and conjoined cross-sections and where a particular precipitate phase could not be determined. All precipitates in this work were found to contain a common near-hexagonal sub-cell (SC) with projected bases a?=?b?≈?0.4?nm. This strongly indicates that they are built over the same Si network, which recently has been demonstrated to exist in all precipitates in the Al–Mg–Si(–Cu) system. For the discrete morphology type the network has one hexagonal base vector parallel to or very near a ?510?Al direction. For the continuous type, one base vector falls along a ?100?Al direction. This orientation of the network is different from previous studies of ternary Al–Mg–Si alloys and must be a direct consequence of the deformation.     

Geometric modelling of viscosity of copper-containing liquid alloys

In this work, viscosities of ternary Au–Ag–Cu and Al–Cu–Si liquid alloys have been calculated as a function of gold, aluminium and copper compositions for the sections Au–Ag–Cu (x_Ag/x_Cu = 0.543 at 1373 K), Al_x(Cu₅₀–Si₅₀)_(1–x) and Cu_x(Al₅₀–Si₅₀)_(1–x) at 1375 K using Chou’s general solution model, Muggianu, Kohler, Toop, Hillert, Budai et al., Kozlov et al., Schick et al. and Kaptay et al. models. The present study finds that a comparison of the predicted values of viscosities associated with the geometric and physical models indicate good mutual agreement. The Muggianu model indicates the best agreement with the results obtained for Au–Ag–Cu and Al_x–Cu₅₀–Si₅₀ alloy systems and the Kaptay et al. model, which is a physical model, indicates the best agreement with the results obtained for Al₅₀–Cu_x–Si₅₀.     

Threshold stress for superplasticity in solid solution magnesium alloys

The effect of alloying elements on the threshold stress for superplasticity was investigated using two binary solid solutions, namely, Mg–Al and Mg–Y alloys. Both alloys exhibited superplasticity, and in spite of the absence of fine particles showed threshold-stress-like behavior. Different origins were suggested for the threshold-stress-like behavior after considering grain growth during deformation. The threshold-stress-like behavior in Mg–Al alloys originates from the effects of microstructural instability (grain-growth hardening). On the other hand, analysis of grain-boundary segregation suggested that the threshold-stress-like behavior in Mg–Y alloy originates from the segregation of yttrium in grain boundaries and its interaction with grain-boundary dislocations.     

Mössbauer spectroscopy study of the disordering process of Fe-rich FeAlSi alloys

In this work we study systematically the influence of different Al/Si ratios on the magnetic and structural properties of mechanically disordered powder Fe₇₅Al_25?x Si _x , Fe₇₀Al_30?x Si _x and Fe₆₀Al_40?x Si _x alloys by means of Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements. In order to obtain different stages of disorder the alloys were deformed by ball milling annealed (ordered) alloys during different number of hours. X-ray and Mössbauer data show that mechanical deformation induces the disordered A2 structure in these alloys. The results indicate that addition of Si to binary Fe–Al alloys makes the disordering more difficult. The study of the hyperfine fields indicates that depending on the Fe content the magnetic behaviour of these ternary alloys varies. For Fe₇₅Al_25?x Si _x series, the alloys have different magnetic behaviours with deformation depending on the Si content. The magnetization of the alloys with high Si content decreases with deformation, as it happens to binary Fe₇₅Si₂₅ and the magnetization of the alloys with low Si content increases with deformation, as it happens to binary Fe₇₅Al₂₅. For Fe₇₀Al_30?x Si _x series the mean hyperfine fields show that there are two different stages with the disordering, in a first stage the mean hyperfine fields decrease and in the second stage they increase. Finally, for Fe₆₀Al_40?x Si _x alloys there is a magnetic transition, from a paramagnetic ordered state to a magneticdisordered state.     

Crystallographic texture and microstructure evolution during hot compression of Ti–6Al–4V–0.1B alloy in the (α + β)-regime

Microstructure and texture are known to undergo drastic modifications due to trace hypoeutectic boron addition (~0.1 wt.%) for various titanium alloys e.g. Ti–6Al–4V. The deformation behaviour of such an alloy Ti–6Al–4V–0.1B is investigated in the (α?+?β) phase field and compared against that of the base alloy Ti–6Al–4V studied under selfsame conditions. The deformation microstructures for the two alloys display bending and kinking of α lamellae in near α and softening via globularization of α lamella in near β phase regimes, respectively. The transition temperature at which pure slip based deformation changes to softening is lower for the boron added alloy. The presence of TiB particles is largely held attributable for the early softening of Ti–6Al–4V–0.1B alloy. The compression texture of both the alloys carry signature of pure α phase defamation at lower temperature and α→β→α phase transformation near the β transus temperature. Texture is influenced by a complex interplay of the deformation and transformation processes in the intermediate temperature range. The contribution from phase transformation is prominent for Ti–6Al–4V–0.1B alloy at comparatively lower temperature.     

Effects of Ca/Al ratio and extrusion process on Mg–Al–Ca alloys to produce a high toughness in-situ composite

The microstructures and tensile properties of Mg–Al₂Ca–Mg₂Ca in situ composites (Mg–17Al–8Ca, Mg–14Al–11Ca and Mg–12.5Al–12.5Ca) with different Ca/Al ratios have been studied in both as-cast and extruded conditions. The results indicated that by increasing Ca/Al ratio, new Mg₂Ca intermetallic introduces to the Al₂Ca phase in eutectic structure. Computer-aided cooling curve analysis confirmed the formation of these phases during solidification. Extrusion process not only altered the size of large bulk Al₂Ca intermetallic, but also changed the size and morphology of intermetallics in eutectic structure considerably. The results showed that with increasing Ca/Al ratio, tensile properties of cast composites changes slightly, but significant enhancement is observed after extrusion process. The strength and elongation values of Mg–12.5Al–12.5Ca (Ca/Al = 1) alloy improved from 166 MPa and 2% in as-cast condition to 465 MPa and 12% in hot-extruded condition. The reason for the improved toughness may be attributed to the formation of finer and well-dispersed distribution of hard (Al₂Ca) and ductile (Mg₂Ca) phases. It was found that hot extrusion easily deforms ductile Mg₂Ca phase in comparison with Al₂Ca phase. In as-extruded condition, there are more very fine dimples than as-casted condition because extrusion process leads to formation of fragmented tiny particles and more uniformity distribution of Al₂Ca particles.     

Nucleation of the Al6(Fe,Mn)-to-α-Al–(Fe,Mn)–Si transformation in 3XXX aluminium alloys. I. Roll-bonded diffusion couples

Roll-bonded diffusion couples are used to investigate a transformation of intermetallic particles from Al₆(Fe,?Mn) to α-Al–(Fe,?Mn)–Si that occurs upon homogenization of 3XXX aluminium alloys. By diffusing silicon into an Al–Fe–Mn alloy, the couples permit a progressive increase in the driving force for this 6-to-α transformation, thus allowing study of the nucleation of the transformation. Initially, the aluminium matrix is highly defected from rolling. This microstructure gives frequent (yet stochastic) nucleation of a eutectoid 6-to-α transformation expected from study of direct-chill-cast 3XXX alloys. However, once the matrix has recrystallized, nucleation is restricted to particles that lie on the matrix grain boundaries. The remaining particles, unable to transform eutectoidally, dissolve and supply growth of these α-phase particles, producing marked coarsening.     

基于β-FeSi2的(Fe, M)Si2三元合金相形成规律

二元β-FeSi₂相是一种重要的窄带半导体型金属硅化物,研究了基于该二元相的三元合金的形成规律,以丰富其材料范围.首先,利用团簇线判据作为理论依据,选取一个团簇和一个连接原子构成的模型,添加不同的第三组元作为连接原子,设计了Fe₃Si₈M(M=B, Cr, Ni, Cu, Co, Al）系列合金成分,即用添加组元替代二元相中的Fe连接原子.然后,用真空吸铸和真空甩带方法制备合金棒以及薄带,以获得无成分偏析的均匀合 关键词： 2')" href="#">β-FeSi₂ 三元合金 团簇线     

Melting and solidification characteristics of Zr-, Ni-, and Mn-containing 354-type Al-Si-Cu-Mg cast alloys

This study investigated the effects of adding Zr, as a base alloying element, besides Ni and Mn in different amounts and combinations on the melting and solidification characteristics of 354-type Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to characterise the sequence of reactions occurring during the heating and/or cooling cycles; whereas scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) techniques were used to observe and identify existing intermetallic phases. Nickel proved to have a retarding effect on the kinetics of precipitation of the α-Al network and the eutectic Al-Si structure. Also, the presence of Ni consumed a considerable amount of Cu to form Al-Cu-Ni particles instead of Al₂Cu particles. Results revealed that solution treatment at 495°C for 5?h was sufficient to dissolve a large amount of Al₂Cu particles in the α-Al matrix, which is mandatory for a successful aging treatment of the alloys studied. Additions of these transition elements produced new intermetallic phases such as (Al,Si)₃(Ti,Zr), (Al,Si)₃Zr, Al₉FeNi, Al₃Ni, Al₃CuNi, and Al₉FeSi₃Ni₄Zr, in addition to the other phases, namely α-Al, eutectic silicon, Al₂Cu, Mg₂Si, Q-phase (Al₅Cu₂Mg₈Si₆), commonly observed in 354-type alloys, and Fe-based intermetallic phases including β-Al₅FeSi, α-Al₁₅(Fe, Mn)₃Si₂, and π-Al₈FeMg₃Si_6. Superheating the melt at 800°C instead of 750°C had an advantageous effect in that Al₃Zr particles originating from the Al-15%Zr master alloy were dissolved and hence coarse Zr-containing particles were barely spotted in the microstructures examined.     

Phase relationships in the Gd–Co–Al ternary system at 500°C

The phase relationships in the Gd–Co–Al ternary system at 500°C have been investigated mainly by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersion spectroscopy. The existence of two ternary compounds GdCo_0.74Al_1.26 and Gd₂Co₂Al has been confirmed. Twenty-two single-phase regions (including solid solution regions of the binary compounds), 43 two-phase regions, and 22 three-phase regions were found to exist at this isothermal section. In this work, no new binary or ternary phase was found.     

合金元素Zr韧化不同计量比Ni3Al合金的微观机制

利用正电子湮没技术（PAT）测量了不同化学计量比二元Ni3₃Al合金及不同Zr含 量Ni3₃Al合金的正电子寿命谱，并估算了合金基体和晶界缺陷处的自由电子密度.结果表明，二元Ni77₇₇Al23₂₃合金的基体和缺陷态的自由电子密度都比二元 Ni74₇₄Al26₂₆合金的高. Ni3₃Al合金晶界缺陷处开空间大于Ni空位或Al空位的开空间，晶界缺 陷处的自 关键词： 3Al合金')" href="#">Ni3₃Al合金 微观机制 自由电子密度 韧化     

Phase transition and pitting corrosion behaviour for Mo—implanted aluminium

Molybdenum ions are implanted into aluminium with high ion flux and high dose at elevated temperatures of 200℃, 400℃ and 500℃. Due to the high temperature and high flux of vacancies and interstitial atoms, the atom diffusion and chemical effects are enhanced during the ion implantation. The effects increase with increasing ion flux and dose, so that new phase formation and phase transition emerge noticeably. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that when the aluminium is implanted with Mo ions at a low ion flux (25μA/cm²), the Al₅Mo alloy is formed. The atomic ratio of Mo/Al of the Al₅Mo phase is close to 20%. When the aluminium is implanted with Mo ions at a high ion flux (50μA/cm²), the phase transition from Al₅Mo to Al₁₂Mo appears, and the latter is dominant, which is determined to be the final phase. The ratio of Mo/Al in Al₁₂Mo is 7.7%. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy indicates also that the Mo/Al atom ratio is ～7% to ～8% in Mo-implanted aluminium. The atomic ratios of the constituents in Al₅Mo and Al₁₂Mo are of stoichiometric composition for these alloys. The thicknesses of the Al₁₂Mo alloy layers for Mo-implanted Al with ion doses of 3×10¹⁷/cm² and 1×10¹⁸/cm² are 550nm and 2000nm, respectively. The pitting corrosion potential V_p increases obviously. It is clear that due to the formation of Al₁₂Mo alloy layer, the pitting corrosion resistance is enhanced.