Element segregation behavior of aluminum-copper alloy ZL205A

In aluminum-copper alloy, the segregation has a severe bad effect on the alloying degree, strength and corrosion resistance. A deeper understanding of element segregation behavior will have a great signif icance on the prevention of segregation. In the study, the element segregation behavior of ZL205 A aluminum-copper alloy was investigated by examining isothermally solidifi ed samples using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The calculated results of segregation coeffi cients show that Cu and Mn are negative segregation elements; while Ti, V and Zr are positive segregation elements. The sequence of element segregation degree from the greatest to the least in ZL205 A alloy is Cu, Mn, V, Ti, Zr and Al. The density of residual liquid is expected to increase with a decrease in the quenching temperature ranging from 630 ℃ to 550 ℃. The calculated results conf irm that the quenching temperature has an insignif icant effect on the liquid density; and the variation of density is mainly due to element segregation. Consequently, segregations of Al, Cu and Mn lead to an increase in density, but Ti, V and Zr present the opposite effect. The contribution of each element to the variation of the liquid density was analyzed. The sequence of contributions of alloying elements to the variation of total liquid density is Cu>Al>Mn>V>Ti>Zr.