Effect of Ce addition on microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of Al-Cu-Mn-Mg-Fe alloy

Abstract

The effects of rare earth Ce on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of Al-Cu-Mn-Mg-Fe alloys were investigated by means of microstructure analysis, tensile test and electrochemical corrosion test. The research shows that the Al-Cu-Mn-Mg-Fe alloy after low temperature heat treatment mainly contains the S (Al 2 CuMg) phase, the T (Al 20 Cu 2 Mn 3 ) phase, the Al 6 (Mn, Fe) phase and the Al 7 Cu 2 Fe phase, and the rare earth Ce makes the alloy form the new rare earth phase Al8Cu4Ce. The appearance of this phase has a significant refinement effect on the Al 6 (Mn, Fe) phase. Compared with Ce-free, the yield strength and tensile strength of Al-Cu-Mn-Mg-Fe alloy with 0.254 ωt% Ce increased by 7% and 15%, respectively, and the elongation increased from 3.1% to 4.8%. It also has better corrosion resistance, which is represented by the decrease of corrosion current density and positive shift of corrosion potential in Tafel measurement in solutions of different concentrations, and the increase of corrosion impedance in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy test, especially the corrosion current density was reduced by 6.06 μA cm −2 in 3.5% NaCl solution.

Directed Energy Deposition‐Arc Repair Al6.5Cu2Ni0.3Ti0.5Zr0.25V Alloy: Microstructure Evolution and Strengthening Mechanism

“…Currently, the researchers mainly enhanced the high‐temperature properties of the alloy by adding alloying elements, [ 7 ] through micro‐alloying, the solidification conditions of aluminum alloys can be adjusted, thus controlling the microstructure, [ 8 ] which process was an efficient way to manufacture heat‐resistant aluminum alloys. [ 9–11 ]…”

“…Currently, the researchers mainly enhanced the high-temperature properties of the alloy by adding alloying elements, [7] through micro-alloying, the solidification conditions of aluminum alloys can be adjusted, thus controlling the microstructure, [8] which process was an efficient way to manufacture heat-resistant aluminum alloys. [9][10][11] Ni element has a great role in enhancing the high-temperature performance of aluminum alloys. [12] Ni eutectic can reduce thermal tearing during casting, [13] and the Al-Ni eutectic is extremely thermally stable.…”

Effect of Combined Addition of CeLa and GdY on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of As-Cast Al-Cu-Mn Alloys

“…Adding small amounts of rare earth (RE) such as Ce [5][6][7], La [8][9][10], Sm [11][12][13], Sc [14,15], Gd [16][17][18], and Er [19][20][21] has been proven to play a good role in the purification and densification of aluminum alloy melt, reducing casting defects and making the microstructure more dense [22][23][24]. At the same time, the addition of RE can refine the grain size of the as-cast alloy by promoting composition overcooling [25].…”