Effect of Minor Er Additions on the Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Cast Al-Cu-Mg-Ag Alloys

The microstructures and mechanical properties of novel cast Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloys with and without minor additions of Er (0.09 and 0.2 wt %) are investigated by Vickers hardness tests, tensile tests, optical metallographic examination, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results reveal that the Er addition decreases the hardness value of peak-aged Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloy but has little influence on the time required for achieving the peak aging condition. Meanwhile, the Ω phase is suppressed in Er-added alloys, leading to a lower tensile strength at room temperature, which causes the (Mg, Ag, Er, V, Ti)-rich phase in the matrix in Er-added alloys. This blocky phase consumes available Mg and Ag atoms for Ω nucleation, leading to the low number density of Ω plates. The strength properties of Er-added alloys at 300 °C are found to be enhanced, which benefits from the pinning effect of the Al₈Cu₄Er phase on grain boundaries. Meanwhile, the brittle fracture of Er-added alloys at room temperature is directly associated with the Al₈Cu₄Er phase and the blocky (Mg, Ag, Er, V, Ti)-rich phase, which acts as the source of microcracks during deformation. In addition, no obvious grain refinement effect can be observed in Er-added alloys.