Abstract
A diffusion-based technique of microalloying aluminium powder metallurgy products was examined to expand the range of feasible alloying additions. Thermodynamic calculations and diffusion rates for several elements suggested that tin and silver were the most promising; these elements were successfully alloyed into AA 2014 on both a macroscopic and a microscopic scale. The final microstructures were examined using X-ray diffraction, X-ray mapping and energy-dispersive electron probe microanalysis. Silver additions were homogeneous throughout the alloy microstructure, whereas tin was concentrated in intergranular regions only. The results suggested that the technique was viable for a variety of microalloying elements. Also, the extent of alloying was predicted reasonably well using a mathematical mass balance model.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
ASM Committee on Aluminium and Aluminium Alloys, in “Metals handbook”, Vol. 2 (American Society for Metals, Metals Park, OH, 9th Edn 1979) pp. 17–21.
E. Hornbogen and E. A. Starke, Acta. Metall. Mater., 41 (1993) 1.
A. R. Harding, in “Aluminium transformation and technology” (American Society for Metals, Metals Park, OH 1978) pp. 211–240.
A. K. Mukhopadhyay, G. J. Shiflet and E. A. Starke, Scripta Metall. Mater. 24 (1990) 307.
R. E. Napolitano, in Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Aluminium Alloys, Vol. 1 Atlanta, GA 1994, Editor: T. H. Sandes, Jr., Georgia Institute of Technology, publ. (1994) p. 99.
W. F. Smith, in “Structure and properties of engineering alloys” (McGraw-Hill, New York 1981) pp. 206–209.
M. Schaefer and R. A. Fournelle, Metall. Mater. Trans. A 27 (1996) 1293.
R. Sankaran and C. Laird, Mater. Sci. Engng. 14 (1974) 271.
S. P. Ringer, K. Hono and T. Sakurai, Metall. Mater. Trans. A 26 (1995) 2207.
A. K. Mukhopadhyay, G. J. Shiflet and E. A. Starke, in Morris E. Fine Symposium, edited byP. K. Liaw, J. R. Weertman and J. S. Satner, (Metallurgical Society of AIME, Warrendale, PA 1990) pp. 283–291.
A. Luo and W. V. Youdelis, Can. Metall. Quart. 31 (1992) 238.
A. R. C. Westwood, Mater. Sci. Technol. 6 (1990) 958.
I. J. Polmear, Trans. Metall. Soc. AMIE 230 (1964) 1331.
V. D. Scott, S. Kerry and R. L. Trumper, Mater. Sci. Technol. 3 (1987) 827.
B. C. Muddle and I. J. Polmear, Acta Metall. 37 3 (1989) 777.
S. P. Ringer, W. Yeung, B. C. Muddle and I. J. Polmear, Acta Metall. Mater. 42 (1994) 1715.
D. P. Bishop, MASc thesis, Technical University of Nova Scotia, Halifax (1995).
D. P. Bishop, G. J. Kipouros and W. F. Caley, J. Mater. Sci. 32 (1997) 2353.
D. P. Bishop, G. J. Kipouros and W. F. Caley, in Proceedings of the International Symposium on Light Metals, Montreal, Quebec, August 1996, edited byM. Avedesian, R. Guilbault, and D. Ksinsik (Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Montreal PQ Canada 1996), pp. 525–538.
L. F. Mondolfo, “Aluminium alloys: structure and properties” (Butterworth, London 1979) pp. 213–380.
Personal Communication, Minerals Engineering Centre, Technical University of Nova Scotia, C. Cole, author (1997).
W. T. Thompson, A. D. Pelton and C. W. Bale, “F *A*C*T* guide to operations,” McGill University Press Montreal, PQ Canada (1985) pp. 1–43.
V. Burachynsky and J. R. Cahoon, Metall. Mater. Trans. A 28 (1997) 563.
G. H. Geiger and D. R. Poirier, in “Transport phenomena in metallurgy” (Addison-Welsey, Reading, MA 1973) pp. 458–460.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bishop, D., Cahoon, J., Chaturvedi, M. et al. Diffusion-based microalloying of aluminium alloys by powder metallurgy and reaction sintering. Journal of Materials Science 33, 3927–3934 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004636411017
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004636411017