Aluminum alloy for casting and method of forming a component
An aluminum-iron alloy for casting includes aluminum, iron, silicon, and niobium present in the aluminum-iron alloy in an amount according to formula (I): (Al 3 Fe 2 Si) 1-x +x Nb, wherein x is from 0.25 parts by weight to 2.5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the aluminum-iron alloy. A method of forming a component including forming the aluminum-iron alloy is also described.
1. An aluminum-iron alloy for casting, the aluminum-iron alloy comprising:
aluminum, iron, silicon, and niobium present in the aluminum-iron alloy in an amount according to formula (I):
(Al 3 Fe 2 Si)(1 −x ) +x Nb (I)
wherein numeral 3 and numeral 2 set forth an atomic ratio of aluminum and iron;
wherein x is from 0.5 parts by weight to 0.9 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the aluminum-iron alloy; and
zinc.
2. The aluminum-iron alloy of claim 1 , wherein x is 0.5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the aluminum-iron alloy.
3. The aluminum-iron alloy of claim 1 , wherein x is 0.9 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the aluminum-iron alloy.
4. The aluminum-iron alloy of claim 1 , wherein the aluminum-iron alloy is a three-phase alloy and includes an Al 5 Fe 2 phase, a B2 phase, and a τ 12 phase; wherein numeral 5 and numeral 2 set forth an atomic ratio of aluminum and iron.
5. The aluminum-iron alloy of claim 4 , wherein the τ 12 phase is a main phase of the aluminum-iron alloy.
6. The aluminum-iron alloy of claim 5 , wherein aluminum-iron alloy has a density of from 4.5 g/cm 3 to 5.5 g/cm 3 .
7. The aluminum-iron alloy of claim 6 , wherein the aluminum-iron alloy has a melting point of from 995° C. to 1,015° C.
8. The aluminum-iron alloy of claim 4 , wherein the Al 5 Fe 2 phase and the B2 phase are secondary phases of the aluminum-iron alloy.
9. The aluminum-iron alloy of claim 4 , wherein an increased amount of niobium present in the aluminum-iron alloy reduces an amount of the Al 5 Fe 2 phase present in the aluminum-iron alloy.
10. The aluminum-iron alloy of claim 4 , wherein the niobium is present in the aluminum-iron alloy as a precipitate that surrounds the τ 12 phase and suppresses nucleation and growth of the Al 5 Fe 2 phase within the aluminum-iron alloy.
11. The aluminum-iron alloy of claim 1 , wherein the aluminum-iron alloy further includes one or more of zirconium, molybdenum, tantalum, and combinations thereof.
12. A component cast from the aluminum-iron alloy of claim 1 .