Microstructure and microhardness of nanostructured Al−4.6Cu−Mn alloy ribbons

Abstract

The microstructural characteristics and microhardness of nanostructured Al−4.6Cu−Mn ribbons produced by melt spinning were investigated using field-emission gun scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and hardness testing, and the results were compared to those of similar ribbons manufactured by direct-chill casting. It is shown that the nanostructure of the as-melt-spun ribbons consists of α-Al dendrites with a secondary dendrite arm spacing of approximately 0.55−0.80 μm and ultrafine eutectic crystals of a nanosized scale of approximately 100−200 nm on dendritic boundaries. The solidification time and cooling rate of 46-μm-thick ribbons were estimated to be 1.3 × 10⁻⁶ s and 4.04 × 10⁶ K·s⁻¹, respectively. At an aging temperature of 190°C, the coherent θ″ phase in aged ribbons gradually transforms into nanoscale θ′-phase platelets as the aging time is extended from 2 to 8 h; the rod-like morphology of the T (Al₂₀Cu₂Mn₃) dispersoid with 120−160-nm diameter also forms, which results in peak aging hardness. The precipitation behaviors of aged ribbons cannot be changed at the high cooling rates of as-cast ribbons. However, a finer and more uniformly distributed microstructure and a supersaturated solid solution at a high cooling rate can shorten the time required to obtain a certain aging hardness before peak hardness.

Keywords

aluminum−copper−manganese alloys / nanoribbons / melt spinning / microstructure / microhardness / precipitation

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