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Electron microscope study of Al-Fe-Si intermetallics in 6201 aluminum alloy

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Abstract

The Al-Fe-Si intermetallics present in a commercial cast 6201 electrical conductor alloy have been studied using high resolution electron microscopy. The β-Al5FeSi phase is highly faceted and contains multiple (001) growth twins parallel to the growth direction. The α-Al8Fe2Si phase which forms in a Chinese script morphology has a nonfaceted interface with the aluminum matrix and exhibits no growth twinning. Formation of the β phase is believed to occurvia a peritectic decomposition of α-Al8Fe2Si at 612 °C. Observations made by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) support this hypothesis. When 30 ppm strontium is added to this alloy, the α phase is stabilized and very little β-Al5FeSi appears in the microstructure. A silicon-rich layer is found around the α-phase particles. It is proposed that strontium adsorbs to the α-phase interface, and in so doing, the diffusion of silicon into the α phase, necessary for its transformation to β, is prevented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aluminum Division, American Racing Equipment Inc., 90221, Rancho Dominguez, CA

    M. H. Mulazimoglu (Senior Metallurgical Engineer)

  2. McGill University, H3A 2A7, Montreal, PQ, Canada

    A. Zaluska (Electron Microscopist, Department of Physics), J. E. Gruzleski (Gerald Hatch Professor) & F. Paray (Research Associate, Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering)

Authors
  1. M. H. Mulazimoglu
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  2. A. Zaluska
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  3. J. E. Gruzleski
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  4. F. Paray
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Mulazimoglu, M.H., Zaluska, A., Gruzleski, J.E. et al. Electron microscope study of Al-Fe-Si intermetallics in 6201 aluminum alloy. Metall Mater Trans A 27, 929–936 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02649760

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02649760

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