Materials Science Forum, Vol.519-521, 1721-1726, 2006
Characterization of Fe-rich intermetallic phases in a 6xxx series Al alloy
Intermetallic phases formed during directional Bridgman solidification of a 6xxx series At alloy in the growth velocity range 5-120 mm/min have been characterised using conventional and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Cubic alpha(c)-AlFeSi and beta-AlFeSi were always present in the alloy, but Al13Fe4 was only observed at 5mm/min and monoclinic alpha(T)-AlFeSi at 80 mm/min. Cubic alpha(c)-AlFeSi was observed to have a variety of morphologies resulting from flexibility in its growth mechanisms. beta-AlFeSi with twins and faults showed strongly anisotropic growth by steps, resulting in its platelet morphology. Occasionally blocky beta-AlFeSi particles were observed particularly at 30-60 mm/min, suggesting that other mechanisms could influence their morphology. Two types of composite particles, beta-AlFeSi/Al13Fe4 and beta-AlFeSi/cubic ac-AlFeSi, were observed in this alloy, and likely formed by two quasi-peritectic reactions.