Author:V. C. Srivastava a, E. Huttunen Saarivirta b, C. Cui c, V. Uhlenwinkel c, A. Schulz c, N. K. Mukhopadhyay d

Institute: National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur 831007, India; Department of Materials Science, Tampere University of Technology, PO Box 589, Tampere FI-33101, Finland; Stiftung Institut für Werkstofftechnik, Universität Bremen, Badgasteiner Strasse 3, 28359 Bremen, Germany; Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India

Mass synthesis by sputtering of Al–Cu–Fe and Al–Cu–Fe–Sn alloys containing a quasicrystalline phase is an urgent problem in the field of materials science, since quasicrystals have unique structural and mechanical properties, which opens up new horizons for their use in various industries.

The synthesis process begins with a careful selection of initial components to ensure optimal conditions for the formation of the necessary crystal structures. Sputtering as a synthesis method provides high purity of materials and the ability to obtain thin-layer structures with controlled properties.                                            

When studying Al–Cu–Fe alloys and their modifications, including the addition of tin, special attention is paid to the thermodynamic and kinetic aspects that influence the formation of the quasicrystalline phase. Establishing parameters such as spray temperature and deposition rate is key to achieving the desired material with predictable characteristics.

As a result of the studies, it was revealed that the addition of Sn helps to improve the mechanical properties and increase the heat resistance of the resulting alloys, which makes them promising for use in highly loaded structures and materials with special requirements.