Characterization of Nanostructured Al-20Si-5Fe-2X (X=Cu,Ni or Cr) ribbons produced by melt spinning

Microstructure features of melt-spun Al-20Si-5Fe-2X (X=Cu, Ni, Cr) alloys was investigated using various analytical equipments including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Xray diffractometry (XRD). TEM study was shown that the microstructure of the rapidly solidified ribbons compromised of α-Al matrix and nanosized spherically shaped Si precipitate with 15-25 nm size. Both XRD and TEM investigations confirmed the absence of any intermetallic phase formation in the as-quenched ribbons. The hardness of thenanostructured ribbons was found to be superior to that of the conventionally cast Al-Si alloys. The effect of alloying elements (Cu, Ni, Cr) on the microstructure and mechanical properties is addressed in the present paper

Keywords:

Nanostructured Al-20Si-5Fe Alloy , Melt Spinning , Rapid Solidification , Microstructure