Abstract
Micro-alloying of rare earth elements can improve the properties of Al alloys, but the mechanisms how they change the microstructures and therefore the properties of the alloys are still generally unclear. Using scanning electron microscopy and atomic-resolution transmission electron microscopy, here we have revealed the microstructural differences between two AlMgSi alloys with and without La-addition, and investigated the impacts of La-addition on specific microstructure-property relationships of the material. It is shown that La-addition has three significant effects on the microstructures and the properties of AlMgSi alloys. Firstly, La-addition changes the types of precipitates formed during aging. Most of β“ precipitates formed in the peak-aged alloy with La-addition are polycrystalline β” precipitates. In the over-aging stage of this alloy, the dominant precipitates formed are the β”/U2, β”/β’ and β’/U2 composite precipitates, rather than the expected β’ precipitates. Secondly, La-addition induces the formation of numerous FCC AlSiLa intermetallics, which significantly refine the grain size and enhance the strength and the ductility of the alloy. Thirdly, La-addition may enhance the electrical conductivity of the age-hardened alloy by reducing the solute atoms in the Al-matrix.
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