Mechanical properties, microstructure and crystal structures of Al98−3xCu2xFexCe1Zr1 (x = 1–3 at.%) alloys extruded from their atomized powders

The mechanical properties, microstructures and crystal structures of Al98−3xCu2xFexCe1Zr1 (x = 1–3 at.%) alloys extruded from their atomized powders were investigated. The extruded alloys have high tensile strength, large elongation and good heat-resistant properties. The tensile strength and elongation of the alloys range from 880 to 580 MPa and from 1.5% to 19.2% respectively. The Al98−3xCu2xFexCe1Zr1 (x = 2–3 at.%) alloys have a high temperature tensile strength of 264–295 MPa at 573 K. The thermal stability of the as-extruded Al98−3xCu2xFexCe1Zr1 (x = 1–3 at.%) alloys was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry. The microstructures and crystal structures of these alloys were analysed by X-ray diffractometry and transmission electron microscopy. The as-extruded Al98−3xCu2xFexCe1Zr1 (x = 1–3 at.%) alloys are composed of α-Al and a cubic phase with lattice parameter a = 0.8420 nm. The excellent mechanical properties originate from the existence of the cubic phase.