TEM Nanostructural Study of Al-6Si-3Cu-xMg Melt-Spun Ribbons

Abstract EN

Three quaternary Al-6Si-3Cu-xMg (x = 0.59, 3.80, and 6.78 wt.%) alloys were produced by melt-spun and characterized using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and microhardness techniques.

Obtained second phases were Al2Cu(θ) for the alloy with 0.59% Mg and Al5Cu2Mg8Si6 (Q) for the alloys with 3.80 and 6.78% Mg.

These phases are present as 30–50 nm or as 5–10 nm nanoparticles.

Alloying elements content in solid solution increased, mainly for Si and Mg.

The high alloying elements content in solid solution and the small α-Al cell size for melt-spun alloys leads to microhardness values about 2 times higher than those of ingot counterparts.

The microhardness increase for melt-spun alloys with 3.80 and 6.78% Mg depends on Mg content in solid solution.