Precipitation hardening through sacrificial phase in aluminumaquasicrystal metal matrix composites

• Published in: Materials science & engineering. A, Structural materials : properties, microstructure and processing Vol. 528; no. 13-14
• Main Authors: Kim, Sung-Dae, Ko, Dong-Su, Jang, Woo Kil, Shin, Kwang Seon, Kim, Young-Woon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 25.05.2011
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2011.02.044
• ISSN: 0921-5093

Highlights ao Higher than 1GPa of compressive yield strength was attained by adding Mg in the mechanically alloyed Al-QC MMC. ao Al, Mg, Cu elements in the Al matrix formed Al-Cu-Mg precipitates to improve the strength of the composites, where copper was sourced by thedecomposition of icosahedral Al65Cu20Fe15 phase. ao The icosahedral phase turned into I>2 (Al13Fe4) phase by losing elemental copper from the original stoichiometry. Al65Cu20Fe15 quasi-crystalline phase worked as a donor of copper by phase dissociation to form Al-Cu-Mg precipitates in mechanically alloyed, Al-Mg-based composite. Fine precipitates played a major role in the improvement of the strength up to 1GPa of compressive yield strength.