Open AccessInfluence of cerium content on the microstructure and thermal expansion properties of suction cast Al-Cu-Fe alloys
Author(s) -
Juan Wang,
Zhong Yang,
Zhijun Ma,
Yaping Bai,
Hongbo Duan,
Tao Dong,
Guangming Shi,
Jiachen Zhang,
Zhen Wang,
Jianping Li
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
royal society open science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 51
ISSN - 2054-5703
DOI - 10.1098/rsos.210584
Subject(s) - microstructure , materials science , indentation hardness , cerium , thermal expansion , alloy , metallurgy , suction , casting , composite material , thermodynamics , physics
Low-expansion alloys are of great importance and can be used for the development of new aerospace materials. Herein, we report diverse rare earth quasicrystal alloys fabricated by the vacuum suction casting process. The effects of the addition of cerium (Ce) on the microstructure, thermal expansion properties and microhardness of the Al-Cu-Fe alloy were systematically investigated. This study discovered the tiny Al-Cu-Fe-Ce microstructure. A uniform distribution could be achieved after Ce addition amount is elevated. At the Ce addition amount of 1 at%, the lowest alloy thermal expansion coefficient was obtained. The alloy exhibited the maximum microhardness under these conditions. The microhardness of alloys containing 1 at% of Ce was approximately 2.4 times higher than the microhardness exhibited by alloys devoid of Ce additives. The coefficient of thermal expansion decreases by approximately 20%. The use of the suction casting process and the addition of an appropriate amount of Ce can potentially help design and develop Al-Cu-Fe-Ce alloys.