Influence of Ce Content on the Microstructure and Microhardness of Injection Casting Al-Cu-Fe Alloys

The quasicrystal alloys are novel materials, which can be used in several regions of highly developed technology. In this study, quasicrystal alloy (Al63Cu25Fe12)100-xCex(x =2, 3, 5 and 7 at%) was prepared by copper mold spray casting process. The effects of Ce addition on the microstructure and microhardness of the alloy were analyzed by scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and X-ray diffraction. The results show that the appropriate amount of Ce can improve the microstructure distribution of the alloy to a great extent. With the increase of Ce content, the microhardness value of the alloy first increases to the maximum and then decreases gradually. When the content of Ce is 3 at%, the microhardness of the alloy is the largest, and the microstructure of the alloy is evenly distributed and the grains are fine. At the same time, with the increase of Ce content, the formation of icosahedral quasicrystal I-phase (I-phase) decreases, and the morphology of AlCeCu phase changes from fine rod to small block, then to ellipsoid or maple leaf, and then to fine rod. The use of the injection casting method and the addition of an appropriate amount of Ce can potentially help design and develop Al-Cu-Fe-Ce alloys.