Abstract
RECENTLY attention has been directed to the effects of small amounts (approximately 0.1 atomic per cent) of silver on the structure and properties of certain age-hardening aluminium alloys, since the changes that occur are thought to have both fundamental and practical significance1–7. As part of this work, a detailed investigation is being made of silver additions to a wide range of aluminium–copper–magnesium alloys and some interesting results have been obtained for aluminium–2.5 per cent copper–1.5 per cent magnesium (contents expressed in weight percentages). As reported previously5, the addition of 0.5 per cent silver to this alloy both accelerates the rate of ageing and causes increased hardening in the medium temperature range (120°–240° C) (Fig. 1). Reasons for these changes have now been sought using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy to investigate alloys which were solution-treated at 500° C, cold-water quenched, and aged at 200° C in a salt bath. Results are shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Polmear, I. J., Nature, 186, 303 (1960).
Polmear, I. J., J. Inst. Metals, 89, 193 (1960–61).
Rosenkranz, W., Aluminium, 39, 290, 630, 741 (1963).
Di Russo, E., Alluminio, 33, 505 (1964); ibid., 34, 331 (1965).
Polmear, I. J., Trans. Met. Soc. Amer. Inst. Mech. Eng., 230, 1331 (1964).
Polmear, I. J., and Sargant, K. R., Nature, 200, 669 (1963).
Vietz, J. T., Sargant, K. R., and Polmear, I. J., J. Inst. Metals, 92, 327 (1963–64).
Silcock, J. M., J. Inst. Metals, 89, 203 (1960–61).
Wilson, R. N., and Forsyth, P. J. E., Royal Aircraft Establishment Tech. Rep. 64040 (Nov. 1964).
Wheeler, M. J., Blankenburgs, G., and Staddon, R. W., Nature, 207, 746 (1965).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
AULD, J., VIETZ, J. & POLMEAR, I. T-phase Precipitation induced by the Addition of Silver to an Aluminium–Copper–Magnesium Alloy. Nature 209, 703–704 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/209703a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/209703a0
- Springer Nature Limited
This article is cited by
-
DSC analysis of phase transformations during precipitation hardening in Al–Zn–Mg alloy (7020)
Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry (2019)
-
Microstructure and mechanical behavior of spray-deposited Al-Cu-Mg(-Ag-Mn) alloys
Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A (2000)
-
Effect of 0.5% silver on the age hardening behaviour of an Al-Li-Cu-Mg-Zr alloy
Journal of Materials Science Letters (1993)
-
Design and development of an experimental wrought aluminum alloy for use at elevated temperatures
Metallurgical Transactions A (1988)
-
The Causes and Effects of “Denuded” or “Precipitate-Free” Zones at Grain Boundaries in Aluminum-Base Alloys
JOM (1970)