| This study is concerned with a correlation between the microstructure and the micromechanism of fracture processes in an RSP/PM Al-8.5Fe-1.3V-1.7Si alloy. The specimens were exposed to the temperatures ranging from 150℃ to 480℃ for 100 hours, followed by room temperature tensile tests, fracture toughness tests and void initiation tests. This RSP/PM Al alloy did not show any significant change in room temperature tensile strength, tensile elongation and fracture toughness even after exposure up to 425℃ for 100 hours. However, tensile elongation and fracture toughness decreased significantly after exposed to 480℃ for 100 hours. Detailed microstructructural analyses showed that the alloy ahs a band structure due to non-uniform distribution of the silicide dispersoids. After exposure to 480℃, the formation of θ-Al₃Fe phases occurs at band structure boundaries by the dissolution of coarse silicide dispersoids, resulting in a loss of ductility and fracture toughness. The micromechanical processes involved in void and microcrack formation were identified and quantified. The results are interpreted using a simplified ductile fracture initiation model based on the basic assumption that crack extention starts to occur at a certain critical strain over a microsturcturally significant critical distance. This model enables us to correlate fracture toughness and microstructure, confirming that the formation of θ-Al₃Fe phases is the main metallurgical factor which contributes to the embrittlement phenomenon after exposure to 480℃ for 100 hours. |
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