Abstract
The precipitation hardening response, microstructure and mechanical properties of three Al–5·3Cu–0·8Mg–0·6Ag based alloys containing 0, 0·15 and 0·25 wt-%Yb were investigated using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It is shown that increasing Yb content from 0 to 0·25 wt-% increased the tensile strength at all test temperatures up to 300 °C. The high strength of the alloys with Yb is attributed to the high density and high thermal stability of fine Ω precipitates.
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