Thermal Stability of Al-Ca and Al-Ce Alloys Obtained by High-Pressure Torsion

The effect of deformation by the high-pressure torsion technique and subsequent annealing on the change in the microstructure and microhardness of alloys based on the Al-Ca and Al-Ce systems has been studied. Cast eutectic aluminum alloys of the following chemical composition were selected as materials for the study: Al-8% Ca, Al-10% Ce, and Al-3.5% Ca-0.9% Mn-0.5% Fe-0.1% Zr-0.1% Sc. The high-pressure torsion deformation was carried out using disk-like specimens 8 mm in diameter and 0.7 mm in initial thickness under constrained conditions at room temperature, pressure P = 6 GPa, and number of turns N = 5. A relationship between the evolution of the microstructure and the change in the microhardness of the alloys during heating has been established. The positive effect of alloying on increasing the thermal stability of the Al-Ca alloy is shown.