Author:F. Turquier, V. D. Cojocaru, M. Stir, R. Nicula, E. Burkel
Institute: University of Rostock, Department of Physics, August-Bebel-Strasse 55, D-18055 Rostock, Germany
Aluminum-based quasicrystals, due to their exceptional combination of physical, thermal and mechanical properties, are of interest for various applications, including the creation of hard coatings with a low coefficient of friction. However, overcoming the challenges associated with the production of these quasi-crystalline phases at an industrial level is complicated by their stability, which is limited to narrow compositional regions.
Alloys with the composition Al67Cu23Fe10 were prepared by high-energy ball milling of elemental powders, resulting in nanocrystalline powder samples representing a solid solution of Al(Cu, Fe). The structural changes in the milled Al-Cu–Fe powders with increasing temperature were analyzed by in situ X-ray diffraction at the synchrotron source in desy-hasylab. High-quality single-phase quasicrystalline powders were obtained from nanocrystalline precursors by slow heating above 750 °C, and the QC phase showed stability both during quenching and subsequent heating to 800 °C.
Synthesis of single-phase Al-Cu–Fe quasicrystals using high-energy ball milling is a unique process that allows obtaining materials with anomalous symmetries and properties. During the milling process, the raw materials are mechanically activated, which facilitates their processing into a quasi-crystalline phase. High-energy impact leads to a significant increase in the reaction surface, which in turn accelerates thermodynamic reactions.
When choosing the ratio of cubic and菲The influence of temperature and processing time is taken into account when determining the lipid phases. Optimization of these parameters allows achieving a high degree of ordering of quasicrystals, which makes them promising for use in materials science. Al-Cu–Fe quasicrystals exhibit outstanding mechanical and thermal characteristics, such as high hardness and low thermal conductivity.
The analysis of the obtained phase states is carried out using X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy, which allows for a detailed study of the structure and morphology of the obtained materials. In the future, the results of such studies can open new horizons for the development of irreplaceable materials and their application in various fields of science and technology.
Studies of Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystals also highlight their potential in the field of functional materials. High corrosion resistance and stability at various temperatures make them ideal candidates for use in aggressive environments and high-temperature applications. These properties put quasicrystals on par with traditional metals and alloys, but with additional advantages related to their unique structure.
An important aspect is also the possibility of modifying the properties of quasicrystals by varying the composition of the source materials. The addition of alloying elements can significantly change the mechanical and thermal characteristics, which allows them to be adapted to specific industrial needs. This opens up new prospects for the development of lightweight and durable materials that significantly exceed modern analogues.
Thus, the synthesis of single-phase Al-Cu–Fe quasicrystals using high-energy ball milling is an exciting direction in materials science, which is already finding practical applications in various fields, from aerospace to microelectronics. Such innovations can lead to the creation of new generations of materials with unique properties and wide possibilities for further application.