Effect of plastic deformation on the coarsening of Dispersoids in a Rapidly Solidified Al-Fe-Ce Alloy

Abstract

Particle coarsening has been studied in a rapidly solidified Al-8.8 wt pct Fe-3.7 wt pct Ce alloy subjected to isothermal annealing for various times at 425 °C. The effect of static and dynamic loading on the particle coarsening rates at the same temperature also has been examined. The dispersed particles in all specimens of the present study are the equilibrium Al13Fe4 and Al10Fe2Ce phases. They are incoherent with the matrix and constitute 23 pct of the total volume. The coarsening rate in isothermally annealed specimens is orders of magnitude greater than predicted by the modified Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner theory for volume diffusion controlled coarsening but can be explained using Kirchner’s model for coarsening by diffusion along grain boundaries. In the case of intragranular particles, coarsening by diffusion along dislocation cores also is likely to be significant. Creep loading is seen to cause a significant enhancement of the coarsening rate. Fatigue testing with a hold period at the maximum tensile stress also accelerates coarsening whereas continuous cycling appears initially to retard the increase in the average particle size. Dislocations connecting dispersed phase particles are observed more frequently in crept specimens and specimens fatigued with a hold period than in specimens fatigued with no hold period. The effects of plastic deformation on particle coarsening rates are discussed in terms of excess vacancy generation, short circuiting along dislocations, and fine precipitation during fatigue.