Author: Kyungjun Lee, Jialin Hsu, Donald Naugle, Hong Liang
Institute: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3123, USA, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Since their introduction in 1984, quasicrystals have attracted considerable attention in the fields of chemical catalysis, thermal insulation, and protective coatings. Their unique icosahedral phase structure, which is absent in traditional metals, provides low thermal conductivity, infrared absorption, low friction, and high hardness. When used as a coating, the synergy of high hardness and low friction coefficient improves scratch and wear resistance. Information on the application of the quasicrystalline phase in coatings is presented in Table 1. Additional material information can be found in Table S1. As can be seen from the table, the most common metals are Al, Cu, and Fe. However, the application of quasicrystalline materials faces certain limitations. In particular, the weak bond between the coatings and the substrate, as well as the high complexity and cost of the manufacturing processes, are noted. Insufficient load-bearing capacity can lead to deformation and peeling of the coatings. There is increasing interest in creating bulk alloys based on quasicrystals using simpler and less expensive technologies. In this study, an effective method for producing such alloys using aluminum, copper and iron was proposed. The quasicrystalline alloy included several phases: λ-Al13Fe4, i-phase and τ-AlCu, demonstrating unique mechanical properties and positive tribological characteristics, which were studied in detail.
Multiphase quasi-crystalline alloys are a unique category of materials with exceptional mechanical properties and high wear resistance. These alloys, due to their complex crystalline structure, demonstrate significant superiority over traditional metal compounds under conditions of intense friction and load. Quasi-crystalline phases create a special microstructure that not only reduces the wear rate, but also helps to increase the service life of parts.
In the development of multiphase quasicrystalline alloys, special attention is paid to the selection of components such as aluminum, copper and rare earth metals, which in combination form an optimal matrix. The use of modern technologies such as alloying and directional crystallization allows achieving outstanding results in microhardness and corrosion resistance.
In addition, research into these alloys opens up new horizons for applications in a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, and perpetual motion. Their ability to withstand mechanical stress, combined with their light weight and resistance to oxidation, makes quasi-crystalline alloys promising for future technologies.