Effect of Ce and solidification cooling rate on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AA2017 aluminum alloy

Author(s)

Rojas-Arias, N. ; Silva, Argos Soares ; Sousa, Sarah Maria de Albuquerque ; Gouveia, Guilherme Lisboa de ; Amancio-Filho, S. T. ; Coury, F. G. ; Spinelli, Jose Eduardo ; Gargarella, P.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Alloys and Compounds; v. 998, p. 14-pg., 2024-05-28.

Abstract

Controlling dendritic growth and grain size in new Ce-containing Al-based alloys becomes crucial due to new envisioned applications and Ce rising demand in casting processes. In the present work Ce effect on the 2xxx Al series microstructures at various industrial-scale solidification cooling rates was investigated. The directional solidification technique is crucial in this endeavor since can generate several solidified samples related to several cooling rates. The AA2017 alloy and a modified version containing 3 wt % of Ce were both produced under directional solidification and various microstructure aspects were characterized. The mechanical behavior was analyzed by microhardness and compression tests. The Ce addition reduced primary and secondary dendritic spacing without impacting grain size. Cells were only observed to form on the Ce-containing alloy at cooling rates of approximately 19 degrees C/s; while dendritic configurations dominated all other conditions. While round pockets composed of Al+Al2Cu+Mg2Si ternary eutectic formed the interdendritic zones in the AA2017 alloy, the AA2017-Ce alloy microstructure was mainly constituted by elongated AlCeSi + Al8CeCu4 interdendritic phases. Finally, the addition of Ce favored an increase in the microhardness and compressive strength values of the AA2017 alloy, which is attributed to the refinement of the solidification structure, as well as the formation of a greater fraction of secondary reinforcement phases. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/08436-9 - Electromigration and 4D microtomography in Sn-Bi-In thermal joints
• Grantee: José Eduardo Spinelli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• FAPESP's process: 20/01426-5 - Effect of processing parameters on microstruture and mechanical properties of aluminum alloys obtained by additive manufacturing
• Grantee: Nicolás Rojas Arias
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 17/27031-4 - Effect of process parameters on the metallurgical characteristics of additive-manufactured alloys
• Grantee: Piter Gargarella
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/23673-7 - Evaluation of alloys for thermal interface contact and for additive manufacturing
• Grantee: José Eduardo Spinelli
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/01432-8 - Microstructure development, corrosion and mechanical resistances of Mg-Si and Mg-Si-(x) alloys for biomedical application
• Grantee: Guilherme Lisboa de Gouveia
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 20/02697-2 - Effects of Nb microaddition on the dendritic growth of a Al-4.0Cu-0.6Mg-0.7Mn-0.5Si alloy
• Grantee: Argos Soares Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 22/00896-3 - Tailoring the composition of 2017 aluminum alloy to reduce its crack susceptibility during selective laser melting
• Grantee: Nicolás Rojas Arias
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)