Insoluble phase in Al–1·52Cu–0·75Mg alloys containing silicon

Abstract

Insoluble particles present in solution treated, quenched and aged Al–1·52Cu–0·75Mg alloys containing 0·23, 0·49, 0·76, and 1·03 wt-% Si have been investigated. Back-scattered scanning electron microscope images of polished sections of the alloys showed the presence of very small, nearly spherical particles at the grain boundaries of all alloys except that containing 0·23 wt-% Si. Alloys with 0·76 and 1·03 wt-% Si also contained large particles of well defined geometrical shapes. An electrolytic technique was used to extract the insoluble particles from the matrix. The extracted particles were analysed by energy dispersive X-ray analysis in a scanning electron microscope. They contained 20·6±0·4%Cu, 32·6±0·4%Mg, 30·2±0·4%Si, and 16·6±0·1%Al (all wt-%). X-ray diffraction analysis of these particles showed that they have a hexagonal structure with lattice parameters a=1·036±0·004 nm and c=0·404±0·004 nm. The insoluble particles were identified as quarternary phase Q. Aging for extended periods at 190°C did not alter the composition or morphology of the insoluble particles.

MST/661