Decagonal quasicrystalline phase in as-cast and mechanically alloyed Al–Cu–Cr alloys

Microstructure and phase composition of three Al-rich as-cast alloys of Al–Cu–Cr system were investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The decagonal quasicrystalline phase is contained in all alloys under study and has grains with faceted shape, its composition lies in the range of 71–73 at.% Al, 11–12 at.% Cu and 15–18 at.% Cr. The heating in calorimeter of the mechanically alloyed Al73Cu11Cr16 powder up to 600 °C leads to the formation of the pure decagonal phase. Total thermal effect in the temperature range 250–600 °C corresponding to the quasicrystalline phase formation is about 15 kJ/mol.

► Microstructure of as-cast Al–Cu–Cr alloys was investigated.
► Composition of decagonal quasicrystalline phase was determined.
► Single-phase decagonal quasicrystalline powder was obtained.
► Phase composition changes during heating were controlled using DSC and X-ray diffraction.