Cast Al-V-Fe alloys with nanoscale particles

The sheets or cylinders of Al-V-Fe alloys were prepared by using water-cool ed copper mould. The mixed structure of nanoscale icosahedral particles emb edded on the Al matrix was obtained. The precipitation of icosahedral phase is sensitive to the variation of composition. The volume fraction of icosa hedral phase increases with increasing the content of V element and Fe elem ent in the composition range of V2-8% and Fe2-6%, respectively. The cooling rate affects significantly the formation of icosahedral phase. With increa sing the thickness from ribbon to 1 mm sheet, the particles size of icosahe dral phase in Al-V-Fe alloys increases from 20 nm to 50-60 nm. Further incr easing the thickness of sheets, Al10V intermetallics may precipitate. Both tensile and compressive yield strength at room temperature were measured. T he yield strength of Al-V-Fe alloys is up to 800 MPa. The yield strength of Al-V-Fe alloys improves with increasing the content of V element and Fe el ement due to the increase of nano-particle of I-phase.