Novel Al-X alloys with improved hardness

Cain J. Hung; Sanjeev K. Nayak; Yu Sun; Colette Fennessy; Venkat K. Vedula; Sonia Tulyani; Seok-Woo Lee; S. Pamir Alpay; Rainer J. Hebert

Materials & Design (Jul 2020)

Novel Al-X alloys with improved hardness

Cain J. Hung,
Sanjeev K. Nayak,
Yu Sun,
Colette Fennessy,
Venkat K. Vedula,
Sonia Tulyani,
Seok-Woo Lee,
S. Pamir Alpay,
Rainer J. Hebert

Affiliations

Cain J. Hung: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; Collins Aerospace Center for Advanced Materials, University of Connecticut Technology Park, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
Sanjeev K. Nayak: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; Collins Aerospace Center for Advanced Materials, University of Connecticut Technology Park, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
Yu Sun: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; Schlumberger Reservoir Completions Technology Center, Rosharon, TX 77583, USA
Colette Fennessy: Collins Aerospace, One Hamilton Road, Windsor Locks, CT 06096, USA
Venkat K. Vedula: UTC Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence, East Hartford, CT 06108, USA
Sonia Tulyani: Pratt & Whitney, East Hartford, CT 06118, USA
Seok-Woo Lee: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
S. Pamir Alpay: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; Collins Aerospace Center for Advanced Materials, University of Connecticut Technology Park, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
Rainer J. Hebert: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; Collins Aerospace Center for Advanced Materials, University of Connecticut Technology Park, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; Pratt & Whitney Additive Manufacturing Center, University of Connecticut Technology Park, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; Corresponding author at: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 192
p. 108699

Abstract

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In this study, our goal is to design solid solution strengthened aluminum alloys for manufacturing technologies that involve high cooling rates. This investigation starts with an analysis of solid solution strengthening using first principles calculations to determine elastic property changes and local lattice distortions from the introduction of different elements into a host aluminum lattice. These results, coupled with both equilibrium and non-equilibrium solubility data, leads to the selection of cerium and cobalt as the primary candidate alloying elements. Alloys of AlCe and AlCo at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0 at. % are then synthesized and subjected to laser glazing to produce non-equilibrium microstructures. The microstructure and solid solution characteristics are determined using a combination of scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, nanoindentation is used to measure the hardness showing that both candidate systems harden significantly after glazing. In addition, Al-1.0Co at. % achieves a hardness comparable to Al6061-T6. These results conclusively show that cerium and cobalt are promising elements in the next generation aluminum alloys which make use of non-equilibrium processing conditions such as additive manufacturing.

Published in Materials & Design

ISSN: 0264-1275 (Print); 1873-4197 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/materials-and-design

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