Effects of minor La and Ce additions on microstructure and mechanical properties of A201 alloy

Abstract

This study investigates how minor La and Ce additions affect the microstructure and mechanical properties of A201 alloy. The results indicate that adding 0.2 wt.% La or Ce to A201 alloys could refine the grain size and led to a rise in the temperature of exothermic peak of Ω and θ' precipitates. In addition, the presence of La-rich phase or Ce-rich phase consumed the quantities of Cu atoms in the Al matrices during solidification. Neither of the phases could be dissolved during solution heat treatment, reducing the precipitation of Ω and θ' phases in A201 alloy after artificial aging heat treatment. The lower volume fraction of the Ω and θ' strengthening phases led to a decrease in hardness and tensile properties but an increase in ductility of the La-containing or Ce-containing A201 alloy.