Characterisation of Al65Cu20Fe15 quasicrystal alloy synthesised via in-situ casting under standard room ambient and argon enriched atmosphere

Abstract

Characterisation on a series of bulk Al65Cu20Fe15 quasicrystal alloy synthesised via in-situ induction casting under argon (Ar) enriched atmosphere and standard room ambient is the focal point of this research. The significance of atmospheric inertness in the course of induction casting process as well as the impacts of subsequent heat treatment at 650°C under 5 hours dwelling duration on the metallography of Al65Cu20Fe15 quasicrystal alloy were investigated through VPSEM coupled with EDX as well as XRD. The Al65Cu20Fe15 quasicrystal alloy specimens produced by induction casting under critically controlled inert environment and standard room ambient as well as subjected to posterior heat treatment process were inspected via vickers hardness test in accordance to ISO 6507-1:1997. Research findings inferred that inert atmospheric condition during induction casting is critical for the formation of icosahedral, i phase and served as oxidation retardant to the Al-Cu-Fe ternary system alloy, while the subsequent heat treatment at 650°C promoted the grain growth of Al65Cu20Fe15 icosahedral quasicrystalline compound.