Effects of high magnetic fields on the microstructures and grain boundaries in binary Al–Li alloy

The effects of high magnetic fields on the as-cast microstructure and grain boundaries of binary Al–Li alloy were investigated. It was found that secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) decreased and the distribution of the SDAS became uniform under high magnetic fields. The application of a high magnetic field had no effect on the type of precipitated phases in the alloy, although δ′ (Al3Li) precipitates coarsened under the field of 11.5 T. Area fraction of grain boundary (AFGB) slightly decreased at first and then increased with increasing magnetic flux density under uniform magnetic fields, while it decreased under magnetic field gradients.