Rare earth (RE) elements have positive efects on Al alloy, while most research is focused on microstructure and mechanical properties. As important application indices, toughness and plasticity are properties that are sensitive to alloy fracture characteristics, and few research studies have characterized the fracture properties of Al-Cu-Mn alloy on RE elements. The efect of diferent contents of Y on the fracture properties of Al-Cu-Mn alloy is investigated. T6 heat treatment (solid solution and artifcial aging treatment), optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) methods are applied to the alloy. Results showed that when Y element is present at 0.1%, the section of the as-cast alloy has smaller sized dimples and the fracture mode presents ductile features. Slight changes in hardness are also observed and maintained at about 60 HV. With increasing content of the RE element Y from 0.1 to 0.5%, the θ phase and Cu atoms in the matrix were reduced and most stopped at Grain boundaries (GBs). Micro-segregation and an enriched zone of Y near the GBs gradually increased. At the same time, the inter-metallic compound AlCuY is aggregated at grain junctions causing deterioration of the micro-structure and fracture properties of the alloy. After T6 treatment, the fatness of the fracture surface was lower than that of all the ascast alloy showing lots of dimples and teared edges with a signifcant increase in hardness. When Y content was 0.1%, the strength and hardness of the alloy increased due to refnement of the grain strengthening efect. The content of Y elements segregated in the inter-dendritic zone and GBs is reduced. Plasticity and deformation compatibility also improved, making cracks difcult to form and merge with each other along adjacent grain junctions and providing an increased potential for ductile fracture. This paper proposes the addition of RE Y as an efective and prospective strategy to improve the fracture properties of the Al-Cu-Mn alloy and provide a meaningful reference in terms of improving overall performance.
Ting-Biao Guo
,
Feng Zhang
,
Wan-Wu Ding
,
Zhi Jia
. Effect of Micro-scale Y Addition on the Fracture Properties of Al-Cu-Mn Alloy[J]. Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2018
, 31(6)
: 79
-79
.
DOI: 10.1186/s10033-018-0282-x
[1] X Y Liu, Q L Pan, X L Zhang, et al. Creep behavior and microstructural evolution of deformed Al-Cu-Mg-Ag heat resistant alloy. Materials Science & i>Engineering A, 2014, 599(5):160-165.
[2] S Bai, Z Liu, X Zhou, et al. Stress-induced thickening of Ω phase in Al-Cu-Mg alloys containing various Ag additions. Materials Science & Engineering C, 2014, 589:89-96.
[3] S Bai, X Zhou, Z Liu, et al. Effects of Ag variations on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Al-Cu-Mg alloys at elevated temperatures. Materials Science & Engineering A, 2014, 611(611):69-76.
[4] Y Kurata, H Yokota, T Suzuki. Development of Al-alloy coating for advanced nuclear systems using lead alloys. Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 2012, 134(6):1-7.
[5] H F Ding, C C Zhu, C X Song. Study on pretension fracture of aluminum alloy thick plate with defect. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2016, 52(12):1-7. (in Chinese)
[6] V S Aigbodion, C U Atuanya. Effect of cold deformation on the microstructure and properties of Al-Cu-Mg/Bean pod ash nano-particles composites. Journal of Alloys & Compounds, 2015, 647(7):728-733.
[7] S Chen, K Chen, P Dong, et al. Effect of recrystallization and heat treatment on strength and SCC of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy. Journal of Alloys & Compounds, 2013, 581(18):705-709.
[8] H C Fang, H Chao, K H Chen. Effect of recrystallization on intergranular fracture and corrosion of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr alloy. Journal of Alloys & Compounds, 2015, 622(11):166-173.
[9] H C Fang, F H Luo, K H Chen. Effect of intermetallic phases and recrystallization on the corrosion and fracture behavior of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr-Yb-Cr alloy. Materials Science & Engineering A, 2016, 684:480-490.
[10] Z W Chen, M J Tang, K Zhao. Effect of rare earth samarium addition on the kinetics of precipitation in Al-Cu-Mn casting alloy. International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials, 2014, 21(2):155-161.
[11] F Meng, Z Wang, Y Zhao, et al. Microstructures and properties evolution of Al-Cu-Mn alloy with addition of vanadium. Metals-Open Access Metallurgy Journal, 2016, 7(1):1-12.
[12] B A Chen, G Liu, R H Wang, et al. Effect of interfacial solute segregation on ductile fracture of Al-Cu-Sc alloys. Acta Materialia, 2013, 61(5):1676-1690.
[13] Y Shi, Q Pan, M Li, et al. Effect of Sc and Zr additions on corrosion behaviour of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys. Journal of Alloys & Compounds, 2014, 612(41):42-50.
[14] G Y Lin, Y X Zhou, J H Zeng, et al. Infuence of rare earth elements on corrosion behavior of Al-brass in marine water. Journal of Rare Earths, 2011, 29(7):638-644.
[15] Y Sui, Q Wang, G Wang, et al. Effects of Sr content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of cast Al-12Si-4Cu-2Ni-0.8Mg alloys. Journal of Alloys & Compounds, 2015, 622:572-579.
[16] G Hua, H Ahmadi, M Nouri, et al. Positive efect of yttrium on the reduction of pores in cast Al alloy. Materials Chemistry & Physics, 2015, 149-150:140-144.
[17] H Choi, W D Kaplan, H Choe. Effect of Yttrium on the fracture strength of the Sn-1.0Ag-0.5Cu solder joints. Journal of Electronic Materials, 2016, 45(7):1-4.
[18] D K Xu, E H Han. Effect of Yttrium content on the ultra-high cycle fatigue behavior of Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloys. Materials Science Forum, 2015, 816(8):333-336.
[19] H T Son, Y H Kim, T S Kim, et al. Mechanical properties and fracture behaviors of the as-extruded Mg-5Al-3Ca alloys containing Yttrium at elevated temperature. Journal of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, 2016, 16(2):1806-1809.
[20] B Li, H Wang, J Jie, et al. Effects of yttrium and heat treatment on the microstructure and tensile properties of Al-7.5Si-0.5Mg alloy. Materials & Design, 2011, 32(3):1617-1622.
