Design of heat-resistant Al–Mg –Zn–Cu–Ni quinary alloy: Controlling intermetallic phases and mechanical performance at elevated temperature

Abstract

Owing to good formability, wrought Al alloys are used in a wide range of industries, including turbochargers in automobile engines. The development of Al alloys with increased high-temperature strength is necessary to improve the fuel efficiency of engines. In this study, a modified heat-resistant Al–Mg–Zn–Cu–Ni quinary alloy with superior high-temperature strength and creep rupture life at 200 °C (potential temperature in service for compressor radial impellers) was designed. The thermodynamic assessments provided a modified alloy composition of Al–5Mg–3.5Zn–2Cu–2Ni (at %) exhibiting α-Al phase in equilibrium with T-Al6Mg11Zn11 and Al3(Ni, Cu)2 phases at elevated temperatures. The experimental alloy showed granular T and Al3(Ni, Cu)2 phases often located on grain boundaries in the α-Al matrix, although the undissolved Al3Ni phase (formed in solidification) locally remained. Apart from the T phase, the η-Zn2Mg phase containing Cu element preferentially precipitated on grain boundaries. A large number of fine precipitates were dispersed homogeneously in the grain interior after the aging at 200 °C or 300 °C. Compared to the base alloy with a ternary composition of Al–5Mg–3.5Zn (at %) and conventional Al alloys, the designed quinary alloy (pre-aged at 200 °C for 10 h) showed a high strength at elevated temperatures above 200 °C. The creep-rupture life at 200 °C/105 MPa was remarkably extended to 665 h by the addition of Cu and Ni elements into the base ternary alloy. The rupture life was more than ten times longer than one (57 h) of the ternary alloys. The alloy modification based on the thermodynamic calculations provides an effective approach for designing lightweight Al alloys with superior high-temperature strength and creep rupture life.