Effect of Er on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of 5052 Aluminum Alloy with Big Width-To-Thickness Ratio.

Xinwei She,Xianquan Jiang,Kang Chen,Bao Qi

doi:10.3390/ma13030568

Xinwei She, Xianquan Jiang + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13030568

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Abstract

The effect of Er on microstructure and mechanical properties of the 5052 aluminum alloy with a big width-to-thickness ratio was investigated by a metallurgical microscope, scanning electron microscope and tensile testing machine. The results showed that the precipitates were slightly refined after Er addition and Al3Fe was transformed into Al6Fe and AlEr with/without a small amount of Fe or Si. The effect of Er on grain refinement was related to its content. When Er content was lower or higher than 0.4%, the grain would coarsen. Homogenization could refine the grain by controlling Er content and distribution in the Al matrix. Long time homogenization at high temperature would significantly reduce the strength of the 5052 aluminum alloy and 5052 aluminum alloys with low Er content, but help to improve the plasticity of those with high Er content. The ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and elongation of the as-cast 5052 aluminum alloy were 197 MPa, 117 MPa and 22.5% respectively. The strength was the highest, when Er content was 0.4 wt. % and the elongation was the best at 0.1 wt. % Er content.

Highlights

With the continuous innovation of aviation, aerospace and other high-techs, people have put forward higher and higher requirements for the performance of aluminum alloys in recent years [1,2,3].Aluminum alloys are developing towards great strength, high toughness and excellent corrosion resistance, and alloying or micro-alloying is one of the most effective methods [4,5,6,7]
The microstructure and mechanical properties of the 5052 aluminum alloy with a big width-to-thickness ratio in as-cast, homogenized and cold-rolled states are studied by adding trace Er into a 5052 aluminum alloy, in order to provide a theoretical basis for improving the deformability of wide 5052 aluminum alloy plates
When Er content was lower than 0.4%, the second phase mostly presented acicular, and when it was higher than 0.4%, the Chinese script phase was obviously increased (Figure 2b1–e1)

Summary

Introduction

With the continuous innovation of aviation, aerospace and other high-techs, people have put forward higher and higher requirements for the performance of aluminum alloys in recent years [1,2,3]. Aluminum alloys are developing towards great strength, high toughness and excellent corrosion resistance, and alloying or micro-alloying is one of the most effective methods [4,5,6,7]. A large number of literatures show that the addition of rare earth elements to aluminum alloys can play a positive role in optimizing the microstructure and mechanical properties. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the 5052 aluminum alloy with a big width-to-thickness ratio in as-cast, homogenized and cold-rolled states are studied by adding trace Er into a 5052 aluminum alloy, in order to provide a theoretical basis for improving the deformability of (ultra) wide 5052 aluminum alloy plates

Materials and Methods

Microstructure

Mechanical Properties

Conclusions