Intermetallic phase evolution of 5059 aluminum alloy during homogenization

Intermetallic phase evolution of 5059 aluminum alloy during homogenization was investigated by means of optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The results show that severe dendritic segregation exists in as-cast alloy. The dissolvable intermetallic phases in as-cast alloy consist of Zn- and Cu-rich non-equilibrium β (Al3Mg2) phase, Fe-rich eutectic Al6Mn phase and equilibrium Mg2Si phase. During the homogenization, Zn- and Cu-rich non-equilibrium β (Al3Mg2) phase, Fe-rich eutectic Al6Mn phase and equilibrium Mg2Si gradually dissolve into matrix. Fine dispersed β(Al3Mg2) particles and rod-shaped Al6Mn particles form in the Al matrix after homogenization. The proper homogenization processing is at 450 °C for 24 h, which is consistent with the results of homogenizing kinetic analysis.