Vickers hardness, indentation creep and corrosion behaviour of Al-5Ti-1B alloy with copper content

The effects of 1, 3 and 5 wt.% Cu additions on structure, Vickers hardness, indentation creep and corrosion behaviour of Al-5Ti-1B ternary alloy were studied and analyzed. The Al-5Ti-1B alloy exhibited a mixture of Al3Ti and TiB2 intermetallic compounds (IMCs), and Al solid solution. Additions of 1 and 3 wt.% Cu showed the same phases, indicating a complete solubility of Cu atoms in Al matrix. In addition, the Al-5Ti-1B-5Cu alloy exhibited a precipitation of CuAl2 IMC. Furthermore, additions of Cu decreased the particle size of Al matrix. This structural behaviour increased rapidly the Vickers hardness number (HV) from 643 to 1395 MPa, increased the indentation creep resistance and improved corrosion behaviour of the Al-5Ti-1B alloy. Cu is anti-corrosion phase when completely dissolved or precipitated as IMC in Al matrix