Influence of Microalloying (Including Rare-Earth Metals) on the Phase Composition and Properties of Aluminum Alloys

Abstract

In connection with the search for new materials and the more extensive use of metals and alloys with special physical and chemical properties, rare-earth metals (REMs) are attracting increasing interest not only as alloying additives but also as the main components of structural materials. The Al-Fe alloys are of great practical interest, and the purpose of this work was to study the influence of microalloying by REMs on the mechanical and acoustic damping properties of Al-Fe alloys. REMs were selected as alloying components because of their properties and their widespread use in improving the structure and properties of structural alloys, including mechanical and acoustic damping properties. The results of these investigations are expected to enable the use of secondary Al (i.e., waste Al manufacture with a high Fe impurity concentration) as a base material for the development of structural alloys with improved mechanical properties for use in mechanical and electrical engineering applications. The use of secondary Al will provide economic advantages and will contribute to the conservation of resources.This work is actual because Al alloyed with Fe and REMs can be used as corrosion-resistant materials and conductive materials in electronics and for automotive and aircraft engines, wires, cables, rods, tires and other products of the electrical engineering industry, thus expanding the scope of applications of these alloys [1-4].