T-phase formation and its effect on mechanical properties of Al-Cu-Mn alloys

• Main Authors: Dar SobanMuddassir, Liao HengCheng, Li GuangJing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: EDP Sciences 2018-01-01
• Series: MATEC Web of Conferences
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201820703001

Al-Cu-Mn alloys are used in components in automotive and aircraft industry which work at high temperature. Recent research is focused on Al-Cu-Mn alloys to enhance their performance by promoting the formation of thermally stable phase particles. In this study, the effect of Cu/Mn content on microstructure and mechanical properties of two Al-Cu-Mn alloys (Cu/Mn wt.% ratio = 5.56, 2.75) is investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and tensile testing. Results reveal that as-cast microstructure of both the alloys consists of trunks of α-Al dendrites surrounded by Cu-rich interdendritic region. After solution treatment, a great amount of Al-Cu-Mn intermetallic compound particles are found to precipitate adjacent to this region. Alloy with low Cu/Mn content ratio exhibits high strength due to relatively high amount of Al-Cu-Mn (T-phase) particles.