Author: N. Bonassoab, D. Rouxel c, P. Pigeat
Institute: Laboratory of Research and Development in Materials, Processes and Surfaces, UPRES EA 3316, University of Technology Belfour-Montbéliard, Montbéliard, 90010 Belfort, France
The icosahedral phase of Al62Cu25.5Fe12.5 in the presence of carbon is a complex all-metal structure formed by many atoms that are connected in a unique geometric shape. This phase is characterized by a high level of structural symmetry and stability, which makes it the subject of deep research in the field of materials science.
Carbon, being an additional element, significantly affects the properties of the alloy, improving its mechanical strength and heat resistance. The interaction of carbon with the main components – aluminum, copper and iron – initiates a process during which carbides are formed, complicating the crystal lattice and contributing to additional strengthening of the structure.
Research shows that depending on the synthesis and heat treatment conditions, the properties of the icosahedral phase can vary, which opens up new horizons for practical applications in various fields, including the aviation and space industries. In-depth analysis of the microstructure and phase transformations in Al62Cu25.5Fe12.5 with carbon allows us to predict the behavior of materials under load, making them more reliable and durable.
Previous studies indicate that carbon contamination of the i-Al62Cu25.5Fe12.5 quasicrystalline phase can cause destabilization of its aperiodic structure. Therefore, the possibility of carbon diffusion into quasicrystalline AlCuFe thin films and the potential effect on their structure at temperatures from room temperature to 600 °C were investigated. The experimental results show that the carbon layer deposited on the quasicrystalline AlCuFe film did not diffuse into it under the specified conditions, regardless of the thickness of the oxide layer between the carbon and the alloy. Moreover, carbon did not interact with the alloy elements, unlike aluminum in the presence of oxygen. Heating to 600 °C of an amorphous alloy created by simultaneous electron beam evaporation on a carbon substrate for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) also resulted in the formation of a pure quasicrystalline phase without carbon diffusion from the substrate.
Quasicrystalline materials have properties that make them useful for coatings, such as low coefficient of friction and high oxidation resistance.