Morphological evolution and strengthening behavior of α-Al(Fe,Mn)Si in Al–6Si–2Fe–xMn alloys

Abstract

β-Al5FeSi is preferred to form in Al–Si–Fe alloys, normally exhibiting needlelike, which is harmful for the mechanical properties. In this paper, with the addition of 1%, 1.5% and 3% Mn into an Al–6Si–2Fe alloy, β-Al5FeSi phase was found to transform to skeleton, flower-like and coarse dendritic α-Al(Fe,Mn)Si, respectively. The novel flower-like α-Al(Fe,Mn)Si crystals contain developed branches with the average diameter of ∼200 nm, performing strengthening effect on the tensile property. Detailed morphologies of α-Al(Fe,Mn)Si phase and the formation mechanism were discussed. Keywords: α-Al(Fe,Mn)Si, Morphology, Microstructure, Tensile properties