Abstract:
The microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-5Cu-0.6Mn-
xCe(
x=0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9) and Al-5Cu-0.3Ce
yMn(
y=0, 0.6, 0.9) alloys were studied by OM, XRD, SEM and EDS. The results show that the microstructure of Al-5Cu-0.6 Mn alloy mainly consists of α(Al), θ(Al
2 Cu), Al
8Cu
4Ce and T(Al
12CuMn
2) phases with different Ce contents. After T5 heat treatment, the morphology and size of Al
8Cu
4Ce phase are little changed. The edges and corners of irregular block-like T(Al
12CuMn
2) phase are passivated. As the increase of Ce contents, the diffusion coefficient of Cu decreases, the number of θ(Al
2-Cu) phases that have not dissolved after T5 heat treatment is increased. The mechanical properties of heat-treated Al-5Cu-0.6Mn-
xCe(
x=0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9) alloys are increased at first and then decreased with the increase of Ce contents.When the Ce content is 0.3%, the mechanical properties reached the maximum values. The tensile strength is 306 MPa,yield strength is 124 MPa and elongation is 7%, which are increased by 54.5%, 40.9% and 40%, respectively, compared to that of the as-cast alloy. With the increase of Mn contents, the number of T(Al
12CuMn
2) phases in Al-5Cu-0.3Ce-
yMn alloys is increased. The as-cast tensile strength and yield strength are increased at first and then decreased when Mn content increases from 0% to 0.9%. After T5 heat treatment, the mechanical properties decrease with the increase of Mn content.