Clustering phenomena in quenched Al, Al-Mg, Al-Si and Al-Mg-Si alloys

Abstract

Vacancy and solute atom clusters of various sizes and number densities may be formed in Al alloys during natural ageing (NA) after solutionising and quenching. We study the clustering characteristics of a series of Al-Mg-Si alloys and discuss ageing mechanisms as a function of solute content: in alloys low in Mg (i.e. 0.1 at.%), clustering is initially governed by Si atoms and then by Mg as NA proceeds. (C) 2019 Acta Materialia Inc.

Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

• Aluminum alloys
• Vacancies
• Aging
• Clustering
• Positron annihilation (PAL)