Quasicrystalline phase formation in the conventionally solidified Al-Cu-Fe system

Structural characteristics and thermal behaviour of the conventionally solidified Al-Cu-Fe alloys with nominal compositions of Al70Cu20Fe10, Al65Cu20Fe15 and Al63Cu25Fe12 were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and differential thermal analysis techniques. Results show that a single quasicrystalline phase forms in a conventionally solidified Al65Cu20Fe15 alloy, being thermodynamically stable without phase transition up to the melting point. A cubic AlFe(Cu) solid solution, identified as ß phase, and a cubic AlCu(Fe) solid solution, identified as ? phase, were observed with quasicrystalline phase for Al63Cu25Fe12 alloy. Conventional solidification of Al70Cu20Fe10 alloy does not result in quasicrystalline phase formation. However, the formation of quasicrystalline phase in conventionally solidified Al70Cu20Fe10 alloy was observed after additional annealing at elevated temperature. SEM micrographs for Al70Cu20Fe10 and Al63Cu25Fe12 alloys after annealing at 700 °C for 4 h revealed the formation of pentagonal dodecahedrons in the quasicrystalline phase, with an edge size of about 30 žm.