About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
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| Symposium
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Progress Toward Mechanisms, Thermodynamics, and Kinetics of Phase Transformations: An MPMD/SMD Symposium Honoring John H Perepezko
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| Presentation Title |
Synergetic Effect on Nucleation of Al-Zr-Er Nano-Precipitates in Aluminum Alloys |
| Author(s) |
Manling SUI, Zuoren Nie |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Manling SUI |
| Abstract Scope |
Formation of highly dispersed nano-precipitates is essential for strengthening aluminum alloys, which requires optimal reduction of critical nucleation size and increase of number density. While Sc is traditionally employed to refine grains and precipitate microstructures in Al alloys, its prohibitive cost and limited availability necessitate alternatives. Here, we demonstrate that Er serves not merely as a substitute for Sc but as a superior nucleation catalyst in Al-Zr systems. By identifying the synergetic effect of trace Er and Zr solutes in a dilute Al alloy, we disclose that single Er atom could stimulate the nucleation of single-unit-cell nucleus of the L12-Al3(Zr,Er) precipitates by increasing the Zr-vacancy binding energy, which leads to achieving the smallest nucleus with highest number density of nano-precipitates. All these discoveries open the way of atomic-scale design on manipulating the precipitation hardening strategy, and offer a cost-effective and high-performance strategy for designing next-generation aluminum alloys. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Aluminum, Characterization, Phase Transformations |