Cast Al-V-Fe alloys with nanoscale particles

The sheets or cylinders of Al-V-Fe alloys were prepared by using a water-cooled copper mould. The mixed structure of nanoscale icosahedral particles embedded on the Al matrix was obtained. The precipitation of icosahedral phase is sensitive to the variation of composition. The volume fraction of icosahedral phase increases with increasing the content of V element and Fe element in the composition range of V2-8% and Fe2-6%, respectively. The cooling rate affects significantly the formation of icosahedral phase. With increasing the thickness from ribbon to 1 mm sheet, the particles size of icosahedral phase in Al-V-Fe alloys increases from 20 nm to 50-60 nm. Further increasing the thickness of sheets, Al₁₀V intermetallics may precipitate. Both tensile and compressive yield strength at room temperature were measured. The 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 element due to the increase of nano-particle of I-phase.