Effect of hafnium on cast microstructure in alloy 1570

Abstract

The issue is devoted to the study of the influence of hafnium on the structure and properties of alloy 1570. Ingots from alloy 1570 were cast into the steel coquille, including those with additives of hafnium 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 %. To determine the size of the grain structure in the obtained ingots, an Axionovert-40 MAT optical microscope was used, chemical analysis of intermetallic particles was carried out using JEOL 6390A SEM. In addition, for the alloy 1570 and 1570–0.5Hf, the presence of nanoparticles with the L12 structure was studied using transmission electron microscope JEM-2100. Studies showed that hafnium additives make it possible to achieve a significant modification of the cast structure. For example, when introducing hafnium into the initial alloy in an amount of 0.5 % of the total weight, it was possible to achieve a reduction in the average grain size by 2 times. Scanning microscopy data showed that hafnium partially dissolves in particles containing scandium and zirconium as well. The addition of hafnium increases the number of large particles formed during crystallization. Transmission microscopy showed the presence of coherent aluminum matrix nanoparticles in alloy 1570 and having a superstructure of L12, which were most likely formed during intermittent decay during ingot cooling. When 0.5 % Hf was added, no nanoparticles with the L12 superstructure were detected. To explain the latter fact, it is necessary to study the surface of the liquidus of the Al–Hf–Sc system, as well as to study the effect of hafnium on the diffusion coefficient of scandium in aluminum.