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Microstructure and microhardness of nanostructured Al−4.6Cu−Mn alloy ribbons

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Abstract

The microstructural characteristics and microhardness of nanostructured Al−4.6Cu−Mn ribbons produced by melt spinning were investigated using field-emission gun scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and hardness testing, and the results were compared to those of similar ribbons manufactured by direct-chill casting. It is shown that the nanostructure of the as-melt-spun ribbons consists of α-Al dendrites with a secondary dendrite arm spacing of approximately 0.55−0.80 μm and ultrafine eutectic crystals of a nanosized scale of approximately 100−200 nm on dendritic boundaries. The solidification time and cooling rate of 46-μm-thick ribbons were estimated to be 1.3 × 10−6 s and 4.04 × 106 K·s−1, respectively. At an aging temperature of 190°C, the coherent θ″ phase in aged ribbons gradually transforms into nanoscale θ′-phase platelets as the aging time is extended from 2 to 8 h; the rod-like morphology of the T (Al20Cu2Mn3) dispersoid with 120−160-nm diameter also forms, which results in peak aging hardness. The precipitation behaviors of aged ribbons cannot be changed at the high cooling rates of as-cast ribbons. However, a finer and more uniformly distributed microstructure and a supersaturated solid solution at a high cooling rate can shorten the time required to obtain a certain aging hardness before peak hardness.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, 710072, China

    Zhong-wei Chen, Qin-ying Fan & Kai Zhao

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  1. Zhong-wei Chen
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  2. Qin-ying Fan
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Correspondence to Zhong-wei Chen.

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Chen, Zw., Fan, Qy. & Zhao, K. Microstructure and microhardness of nanostructured Al−4.6Cu−Mn alloy ribbons. Int J Miner Metall Mater 22, 860–867 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-015-1143-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-015-1143-6

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