Microstructure and mechanical properties of RSP/M Al-Fe-V-Si and Al-Fe-Ce alloys

Two aluminium alloys with nominal compositions of Al-8Fe-4Ce and Al-8Fe-1V- 2Si (all compositions in wt %) were rapidly solidified by ultrasonic gas at omization. The atomized powders with an average particle size (d(50)) of 30 mu m were vacuum hot pressed and subsequently hot extruded. The P/M extrus ion exhibited similar microstructure and elevated temperature tensile prope rties. The tensile and stress rupture samples of both the alloys exhibited ductile dimple failure. However, the Al-Fe-V-Si extrusion samples exhibited significantly better creep and stress rupture properties. The Al-Fe-Ce all oy was found to be more susceptible to cavitation at elevated temperatures which resulted in poor stress rupture properties. (C) 1999 Kluwer Academic Publishers.