Features of Structure Formation in an Al-Fe-Mn Alloy upon Crystallization with Various Cooling Rates

Specific features of the microstructure formation of an Al-2.5% Fe-1.5% Mn alloy owing to the cooling rate during casting and during laser melting are studied in this work. An analysis of the microstructure in the molten state shows that, with an increase in the cooling rate during crystallization from 0.5 to 940 K/s, the primary crystallization of the Al-6(Mn,Fe) phase is almost completely suppressed and the volume of the nonequilibrium eutectic increases to 43%. The microstructures of the Al-2.5% Fe-1.5% Mn alloy after laser melting are characterized by the presence of crystals of an aluminum matrix of a dendritic type with an average cell size of 0.56 mu m, surrounded by an iron-manganese phase of eutectic origin with an average plate size of 0.28 mu m. The primary crystallization of the Al-6(Mn,Fe) phase is completely suppressed. The formation of such a microstructure occurs at cooling rates of 1.1 x 10(4)-2.5 x 10(4) K/s, which corresponds to the cooling rates implemented in additive technologies. At the boundary between the track and the base metal and between the pulses, regions were revealed consisting of primary crystals of the Al-6(Mn,Fe) phase formed by the epitaxial growth mechanism. The size of the primary crystals and the width of this zone depends on the size of the eutectic plates and the size of the dendritic cell located in the epitaxial layer. After laser melting, the Al-2.5% Fe-1.5% Mn alloy has a high hardness at room temperature (93 HV) and, after heating up to 300 degrees C, it has a high thermal stability (85 HV). The calculated yield strength of the Al-2.5% Fe-1.5% Mn alloy after laser melting is 227 MPa. The combination of its ultrafine microstructure, high processibility during laser melting, hardness at room and elevated temperatures, and high calculated yield strength make the Al-2.5% Fe-1.5% Mn alloy a promising alloy for use in additive technologies.