| Abstract Scope |
Al-Ce alloys have shown exceptional promise in the last few years to expand the properties of aluminum alloys. High temperature applications are possible due to negligible microstructure coarsening, and the alloys have shown high corrosion resistance while providing excellent castability. However, Al-Ce binary alloys are low strength. (CALculation of PHAse Diagrams) modelling was used to investigate the Al-Ce-(Fe)-(Mg) systems, and experimental casting techniques were used for validation. Experiments found additions of Fe are beneficial due to the formation of fine Al8CeFe2 phase, suppressing the coarse faceted Al11Ce3 phase in Al-Ce alloys, with marked improvements in the ultimate tensile strength and elongation of the alloy at room temperature, with high property retention at elevated temperature. Mg is an effective solid solution strengthener in aluminum alloys, but can lead to coarse intermetallics which are detrimental to the ductility. The strength, elongation, and alloy cost were optimized creating a new alloy range. |