Simultaneously increasing strength and ductility of the Al–Cu alloys inoculated by Zr-based metallic glass

A new strategy for simultaneously increasing strength and ductility of the Al–Cu alloys was reported here, that is: the inoculated Al–Cu alloys by Zr55Cu30Al10Ni5 metallic glass showed the superior strength and ductility than the uninoculated alloy. The highest tensile strength and ductility of the inoculated alloy by Zr55Cu30Al10Ni5 metallic glass were 569 MPa and 11.1%, improved by 15.3% and 58.5%, respectively, than those of the uninoculated alloys. These enhanced properties are suggested to be induced by the refined α-Al grains and the smaller nano-sized θ′ precipitates.