Effect of Sc and Zr additions on the microstructure/strength of Al-Cu binary alloys

Here, the effects of Sc and Zr additions to a model Al-Cu alloy were examined. The precipitates were investigated through TEM and APT. EBSD was used to characterise the texture of the studied alloys. Finally, the ageing response of the alloys was monitored through tensile testing. The refinement of the Cu precipitates accounted for an increase of up to 120 MPa of the peak aged strength and the core/shell dispersoids accounted for up to 40 MPa.