A comparison of structure and properties of binary and ternary rapidly solidified alloys of the Al-Ni-Zr system

We present the results on investigation of rapidly solidified foils of binary Al-0.3 at.% Zr, Al-0.6 at.% Ni and ternary Al-0.2 at.% Zr-0.4 at.% Ni alloys. Formation of free surface cellular morphology, microcrystalline structure and (1 1 1) texture was found. Also we obtain a substantial microhardness increase in comparison with bulk samples. Investigation of thermal stability shows that multistage ageing takes place during thermal treatment leading to sequential precipitation of intermetallic phases Al3Ni and Al3Zr.