Preparation of Al-Cu-Fe-(Sn,Si) quasicrystalline bulks by laser multilayer cladding

Abstract

(Al65Cu20Fe15)(100-x)Sn-x (x=0, 12, 20, 30) and Al57Si10Cu18Fe15 powders were cladded on a medium carbon steel (45# steel) substrate by laser multilayer cladding, respectively. The phases and properties of the produced quasicrystalline bulks were investigated. It was found that the main phases in the Al65Cu20Fe15 sample were crystalline lambda-Al13Fe4 and icosahedral quasicrystal together with a small volume fraction of theta-Al2Cu phase. The volume fraction of icosahedral phase decreased as the Sn content in the (Al65Cu20Fe15)(100-x)Sn-x samples increased owing to the formation of beta-CuSn phase. The increase of Sn content improved the brittleness of the quasicrystal samples. The morphology of the solidification microstructure in the Al57Si10Cu18Fe15 sample changed from elongated shape to spherical shape due to the addition of Si. The nanohardness of the laser multilayer cladded quasicrystal samples was equal to that of the as-cast sample prepared by vacuum quenching. In terms of hardness, the laser cladded Al57Si10Cu18Fe15 quasicrystalline alloy has the highest value among all the investigated samples.