Characterization of dispersed intermetallic phases in rapidly quenched Al-Ti-Ce alloys

The microstructures of Al-3Ti-lCe (wt pct) and Al-5Ti-5Ce alloys melt-spun under controlled He atmosphere have been characterized using analytical electron microscopy. The rapidly solidified microstructures comprise uniform, fine-scale dispersions of intermetallic phase in an aluminum matrix, and particular attention has been given to identification of the dispersed phases. In the Al-3Ti-lCe alloy, the dispersed particles are polycrystalline with a complex twinned substructure and a diamond cubic crystal structure(a _o =1.44 ±0.01 nm) and composition consistent with the ternary compound Al₂₀Ti₂Ce (Al₁₈Cr₂Mg₃ structure type, space group Fd3m). In the Al-5Ti-5Ce alloy, there is, in addition to the dispersed ternary phase, a separate uniform array of fine-scale particles of the binary compound Al₁₁Ce₃. The majority of such particles have the body-centered orthorhombic structure of the low-temperature polymorph, α-Al₁₁Ce₃, but there is evidence to suggest that at least some particles developvia initial formation of the high-temperature body-centered tetragonal phase, β-Al₁₁Ce₃. The accumulated evidence suggests that both binary and ternary particles formed as primary phases directly from the melt during rapid solidification, leaving only small concentrations of solute in aluminum matrix solid solution. Both phases are observed to be resistant to coarsening for up to 240 hours at 400 °C. Formerly Research Fellow, Department of Materials Engineering, Monash University.     

Characterization of dispersed intermetallic Phases in Rapidly Quenched Al-Ti-Ce Alloys

The microstructures of Al-3Ti-lCe (wt pct) and Al-5Ti-5Ce alloys melt-spun under controlled He atmosphere have been characterized using analytical electron microscopy. The rapidly so- lidified microstructures comprise uniform, fine-scale dispersions of intermetallic phase in an aluminum matrix, and particular attention has been given to identification of the dispersed phases. In the Al-3Ti-lCe alloy, the dispersed particles are polycrystalline with a complex twinned substructure and a diamond cubic crystal structure (α _o = 1.44 ± 0.01 nm) and composition consistent with the ternary compound Al₂₀Ti₂Ce (Al₁₈Cr₂Mg₃ structure type, space group Fd3m). In the Al-5Ti-5Ce alloy, there is, in addition to the dispersed ternary phase, a separate uniform array of fine-scale particles of the binary compound Al₁₁Ce₃. The majority of such particles have the body-centered orthorhombic structure of the low-temperature polymorph, α-Al₁₁Ce₃, but there is evidence to suggest that at least some particles developvia initial formation of the high-temperature body-centered tetragonal phase, β-Al₁₁Ce₃. The accumulated evidence sug- gests that both binary and ternary particles formed as primary phases directly from the melt during rapid solidification, leaving only small concentrations of solute in aluminum matrix solid solution. Both phases are observed to be resistant to coarsening for up to 240 hours at 400 °C.     

Coarsening of dispersed intermetallic

Dendritic monocrystals of Al-4.5 wt pct Cu-2 wt pct Mn were directionally solidified at 0.20 m/h under a thermal gradient of 3 × 10³ K/m. Crystal pulling was stopped for various lengths of time prior to quenching the remaining liquid, thus making it possible to evaluate the transformation and coarsening kinetics of dispersed intermetallic phases, Al₆Mn and Al₂₀Cu₂Mn₃, as a function of temperature. Coarsening of Al₆Mn intermetallic particles surrounded by liquid (Type II) follows an average particle size relationship much closer than it does a relationship. This suggests that convection plays no important role in coarsening. For coarsening of Al₆Mn particles in a solid matrix (Type I) the relationship fits the experimental measurements reasonably well. Coarsening kinetics studies were extended to intermetallic particle sizes an order of magnitude finer than those occurring in directionally solidified alloy, in order to derive information required by an on-going project on the effect of intermetallic phase geometry on corrosion behavior. Jt was found that coarsening of Al₂₀Cu₂Mn₃ particles contained in a melt-spun ribbon follows a relationship, as predicted by Kirchner for grain-boundary diffusion-controlled ripening. Finally, coarsening of Al₆Mn particles surrounded by liquid indium film and contained in a plastically deformed matrix follows a relationship, as predicted by LSW theory for liquid diffusion-controlled ripening. Shortening the time required to obtain coarse intermetallic particles during a homogenization treatment is important in deep drawing. Formerly Graduate Student, Department of Metallurgy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of ternary intermetallic compound dispersed P/M Al-Mn-X-Zr (x=Cu,Ni) alloys

Heat-resistant aluminum alloys are generally developed by dispersing stable intermetallic compounds by adding transition metals (TM) whose diffusion coefficient in aluminum alloys is low even at high temperatures. Commonly used intermetallic compounds include Al-TM binary intermetallic compounds, for example, Al₆Fe, Al₃Ti and Al₃Ni. By contrast, multicomponent intermetallic compounds are hardly used. The present study focuses on Al-Mn-Cu and Al-Mn-Ni ternary intermetallic compounds, and by finely dispersing these intermetallic compounds, attempts to develop heat-resistant alloys. Through the atomization method, Al-(4.96–5.96)Mn-(6.82–7.53)Cu-0.4Zr and Al-(5.48–8.76)Mn-(2.23–4.32)Ni-0.4Zr (in mass%) powders were fabricated, and by degassing these powders at 773 K, intermetallic compounds were precipitated. These powders were then solidified into extrudates by hot extrusion at 773 K. The microstructural characterization of powders and exrudates was carried out by XRD analysis, SEM/EDX and TEM. The mechanical properties of extrudates were determined at room temperature, 523 K and 573 K. In Al-Mn-Cu alloys, while a small amount of Al₂Cu was crystallized, precipitated Al₂₀Mn₃Cu₂ intermetallic compounds were mainly dispersed. In Al-Mn-Ni alloys, while a small amount of Al₆Mn intermetallic compounds was precipitated, the precipitated A₆₀Mn₁₁Ni₄ intermetallic compounds were mainly dispersed. Both ternary intermetallic compounds were about 200 nm in size. The compounds were elliptical, and their longitudinal direction was oriented along the extrusion direction. In the Al-Mn-Cu alloys, since the work hardening at room temperature was high, the tensile strength became 569 MPa. At elevated temperatures, since hardly any work hardening was observed, the tensile strength decreased markedly. However, in Al-Mn-Ni alloys, since the work hardening is low even at room temperature, the roomtemperature strength is not high. Thus, the decrease in tensile strength at elevated temperatures is relatively small and a high strength was obtained at 523 K and 573 K: 276 MPa and 207 MPa, respectively.     

Oxidation of TiAl intermetallic

The oxidation kinetics of TiAl intermetallic at 500–900 °C in air is studied using a gravimetric method, and the phase composition of the scale is studied using an x-ray phase analysis. At t > 600 °C, the kinetics of oxidation is described by a parabolic equation. The oxides TiO₂ (rutile), γ-Al₂O₃, α-Al₂O₃, Ti₂O₃ are found in the scale. It is shown that at the first stage the γ-Al₂O₃ and low-titanium oxides form on the sample surface at t < 70 °C. At t ≥ 850 °C, the Ti₂O₃ forms on the external surface of the scale, TiAl₃ is found in the sublayer at the alloy/scale interface. It is shown that at t ≤ 800 °C the process is controlled by oxygen diffusion. At t > 800 °C, the oxidation mechanism changes: counterdiffusion of titanium ions through interstitial sites in TiO₂ lattice occurs.     

Magnesium silicide intermetallic alloys

Methods of induction melting an ultra-low-density magnesium silicide (Mg₂Si) intermetallic and its alloys and the resulting microstructure and microhardness were studied. The highest quality ingots of Mg₂Si alloys were obtained by triple melting in a graphite crucible coated with boron nitride to eliminate reactivity, under overpressure of high-purity argon (1.3 X 10⁵ Pa), at a temperature close to but not exceeding 1105 °C ± 5 °C to avoid excessive evaporation of Mg. After establishing the proper induction-melting conditions, the Mg-Si binary alloys and several Mg₂Si alloys macroalloyed with 1 at. pct of Al, Ni, Co, Cu, Ag, Zn, Mn, Cr, and Fe were induction melted and, after solidification, investigated by optical microscopy and quantitative X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Both the Mg-rich and Si-rich eutectic in the binary alloys exhibited a small but systematic increase in the Si content as the overall composition of the binary alloy moved closer toward the Mg₂Si line compound. The Vickers microhardness (VHN) of the as-solidified Mg-rich and Si-rich eutectics in the Mg-Si binary alloys decreased with increasing Mg (decreasing Si) content in the eutectic. This behavior persisted even after annealing for 75 hours at 0.89 pct of the respective eutectic temperature. The Mg-rich eutectic in the Mg₂Si + Al, Ni, Co, Cu, Ag, and Zn alloys contained sections exhibiting a different optical contrast and chemical composition than the rest of the eutectic. Some particles dispersed in the Mg₂Si matrix were found in the Mg₂Si + Cr, Mn, and Fe alloys. The EDS results are presented and discussed and compared with the VHN data. Formerly Formerly     

Optimization of Mo-Si-B intermetallic alloys

Mo-Si-B intermetallics consisting of the phases Mo₃Si and Mo₅SiB₂, and a molybdenum solid solution (“α-Mo”), have melting points on the order of 2000 °C. These alloys have potential as oxidation-resistant ultra-high-temperature structural materials. They can be designed with microstructures containing either individual α-Mo particles or a continuous α-Mo phase. A compilation of existing data shows that an increase in the volume fraction of the α-Mo phase increases the room-temperature fracture toughness at the expense of the oxidation resistance and the creep strength. If the α-Mo phase could be further ductilized, less α-Mo would be needed to achieve an adequate value of the fracture toughness, and the oxidation resistance would be improved. It is shown that microalloying of Mo-Si-B intermetallics with Zr and the addition of MgAl₂O₄ spinel particles to Mo both hold promise in this regard. This article is based on a presentation made in the symposium entitled “Beyond Nickel-Base Superalloys,” which took place March 15–17, 2004, at the TMS Spring meeting in Charlotte, NC, under the auspices of the SMD-Corrosion and Environmental Effects Committee, the SMD-High Temperature Alloys Committee, the SMD-Mechanical Behavior of Materials Committee, and the SMD-Refractory Metals Committee.     

Al-Mg金属间化合物多孔材料的制备

以Al和Mg元素混合粉末为原料,用粉末冶金模压成形和无压反应烧结方法制备出Al-Mg金属间化合物多孔材料,研究反应过程中Al-Mg金属间化合物多孔材料的相转变、体积膨胀、孔结构参数和显微形貌的变化,并对其孔隙形成机理进行讨论。研究结果表明:烧结后Al-Mg金属间化合物形成了均一的Al3Mg2相并发生了显著的体积膨胀,开孔隙率随温度的升高而增大,经435℃烧结后,达到24.7%;造孔机理是压制过程中粉末颗粒间隙孔的产生和固相扩散过程中的Kirkendall效应造孔。     

Ni-Al金属间化合物多孔材料的制备

以Ni、Al元素混合粉末为原料,用冷压成形和两阶段固态偏扩散反应烧结法制备Ni-Al金属间化合物多孔材料,系统地研究合金成分、Al粉粒度和烧结温度对孔结构的影响.研究结果表明:随着铝含量增加开孔隙率先缓慢增大而后迅速增大,最大孔径和透气度也随铝含量的增加而增大,开孔隙度则随温度升高增大到一定值后呈减小趋势;随着Al粉粒度增大,最大孔径和透气度都增加,透气度的增加趋势更为显著.     

Sintering of dispersed tantalum powders

Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, No. 12 (360), pp. 11–16, December, 1992.     

heats of formation of aluminum-cerium intermetallic compounds

The formation heats of the intermetallic compounds of aluminum and cerium were studied using a differential direct isoperibol calorimeter. The composition and equilibrium state of the samples were confirmed by metallographic and X-ray analyses. For the various compounds, the ΔH_form (for the reaction in the solid state at 300 K) was determined as follows (kJ/mol of atoms): Ce₃Al: -27.0 ± 2; CeAl: -46.0 ± 3; CeAl₂: -50.0 ± 2; and Ce₃Al₁₁: -41.0 ± 2. The results are discussed and compared with the values which can be found in literature.     

Heats of formation in transition intermetallic alloys

The heats of formation in intermetallic alloys are calculated within a tight-binding scheme for the d band. We show that the difference in bandwidth between the metals and the difference between their energy levels are two dominant effects in the determination of the formation energy of these alloys. The influence of charge transfer, determined by a self consistent way, on alloy formation is studied.     

Mechanical properties of high-temperature titanium intermetallic compounds

A suite of 36 alloys has been tested that is based on titanium-containing ordered intermetallic compounds. Microhardness and tendency toward formation of cracks are reported as a function of temperature; room-temperature Young’s moduli are summarized; and results of simple roomtemperature toughness tests are given. Using toughness, low specific gravity, and hardness at 1000 °C as figures of merit, Ti-Cr-Nb alloys are recognized as deserving of more intense study. Certain Ti-Sn-Al and Ti-Re compositions may also be of continuing interest.