Metal flux synthesis and atom probe tomography analyses of different intermetallic al–mg phases

Abstract

Aluminium alloys and intermetallic are being widely investigated as potential aerospace materials. In this study, metal flux has been employed as a synthesize method for different intermetallic phases. The considerable potential of aluminium liquid is demonstrated as a powerful synthesis solvent of important intermetallic phases such as Mg 2 Si, Al 2 Mg and CaMgSi. The mechanical properties of the synthesized system have been estimated through the hardness analysis using Nano-indentation hardness test. The microstructure evolution and the phase analyses were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The interactions between intermetallic phases and the eutectic microstructure of molten flux is rather complex and yet to be fully understood. Thus, tracing of local chemistry on an atomic scale is crucial. The atom probe tomography technique is utilized to characterize the intermediate reaction steps of the flux-grown intermetallic phases. The study proposed a direct approach to investigate the involved reactions during the formation of the synthesized intermetallic phase.