Microstructures and properties of AlZnMgCu alloys refined by nano Al3Ti‐TiB2‐AlN‐TiN/Al inoculant ribbons

• Published in: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 2024-11, Vol.1541 (1), p.243-254
• Main Authors: Wang, Qian, Li, Fanfan, Cui, Chunxiang, Wu, Dayong, Ma, Haikun, Kang, Jie, Dong, Huicong, Su, Ru
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloys; Crystals; inoculant effect; Inoculation; mechanical properties; Microhardness; microstructure; nano Al3Ti‐TiB2‐AlN‐TiN/Al inoculant ribbons; Nanoparticles; Nucleation; orientation relationship; Rapid quenching (metallurgy); Ribbons; Titanium aluminides; Titanium diboride; Titanium nitride; Ultimate tensile strength
• ISSN: 0077-8923; 1749-6632; 1749-6632
• DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15236

Nano Al3Ti‐TiB2‐AlN‐TiN/Al inoculant ribbons containing a large number of evenly distributed nanoparticles, such as Al3Ti (sized about 300 nm), TiB2 (sized about 100 nm), AlN (sized about 150 nm), and TiN (sized about 200 nm), were prepared by vacuum rapid quenching furnace to refine AlZnMgCu alloys. The nano Al3Ti‐TiB2‐AlN‐TiN/Al inoculant ribbons showed an excellent inoculant effect, which modified the dendrite crystals to equiaxed crystals and refined the grains from 122 ± 4 µm to 36 ± 5 µm by the addition of 0.3 wt% nano Al3Ti‐TiB2‐AlN‐TiN/Al inoculant ribbons. In addition to nano Al3Ti and TiB2 particles, nano AlN and TiN particles also have a certain orientation relationship with α‐Al, which suggests that these particles possess nucleation potency to α‐Al. After inoculation with 0.3% nano Al3Ti‐TiB2‐AlN‐TiN/Al inoculant ribbons, the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and average microhardness of the AlZnMgCu alloys increased from 246 MPa, 79 MPa, and 112 HV to 319 MPa, 100 MPa, and 136 HV, or by 29.7%, 26.6% and 21.4%, respectively. Nano Al3Ti‐TiB2‐AlN‐TiN/Al inoculant ribbons that contain a large number of evenly distributed nanoparticles were successfully prepared by rapid solidification technology. In addition to nano Al3Ti and TiB2 particles, nano AlN and TiN particles also have a certain orientation relationship with α‐Al, suggesting that these particles possess the potential to nucleate α‐Al.