Microstructure and Properties of Al-Cu-Mn Alloy with Y, Zr and (Y+Zr)

Abstract:

As an important strengthening method, micro alloying has been widely used to improve the comprehensive properties of aluminum alloy. The research on microstructures and properties of Al-Cu-Mn alloy with Y, Zr and (Y, Zr) was conducted through OM, SEM and EDS methods. Three addition methods were comprehensively compared and the important significance of elements and relevant precipitates distribution to performance improvement was explored. The results show that adding different contents of Y, Zr and (Y, Zr) has great influence on microstructure and properties of Al-Cu-Mn alloy. Fluidity of the (Y+Zr)-containing alloy was significantly higher than that of the Zr or Y-containing one. The hardness and elongation of the Zr-containing alloy were also better than the other two groups, while with the increase of addition amounts from 0 to 0.2 %, it showed a decreasing trend. When the content was 0.3%, the grains of the Y and (Y+Zr)-containing alloys were well refined and the tensile strength and hardness increased as well, and Y-containing alloy presented the best tensile strength. After T6 heat treatment, the mechanical properties of the Y and (Zr+Y)-containing alloys were enhanced due to the dispersed θ phase and completely refined grains. And both ductile fracture ratios increased. When the content was more than 0.3%, the reticular θ phase formed that was extremely unfavorable to properties of the studied alloy. It appears that the addition of Y and Zr has an important influence on improving the properties of the Al-Cu-Mn alloy. And Y, Zr and (Y+Zr) dosages should be adjusted reasonably in the range of 0.1-0.3% to optimize and improve the alloy performance.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 898)
• Pages: 334-344
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.898.334
• Online since: June 2017
• Authors: Ting Biao Guo*, Feng Zhang, Qi Li, Chen Wang, Wan Wu Ding
• Keywords: Al-Cu-Mn Alloy, Mechanical Properties, Microstructure, T6 Heat Treatment

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