Preparation of Al(3)Ti-Al(2)O(3)/Al Inoculant and Its Inoculation Effect on Al-Cu-Mn Alloy

The grain size plays a pivotal role in determining the properties of the alloy. The grain size can be significantly decreased by adding inoculants. Aiming to address the shortcomings of existing inoculants, the Al(3)Ti-Al(2)O(3)/Al inoculant was successfully prepared using Al-Ti master alloy and Al(2)O(3) whiskers as raw materials. With the aid of ultrasonic energy, the Al(2)O(3) whiskers were uniformly dispersed within the inoculants. Under the combined action of ultrasonic and titanium, the Al(2)O(3) whiskers were broken into small particles at high temperature. To enhance the morphology of Al(3)Ti and achieve even particle dispersion throughout the matrix, vacuum rapid quenching treatment was applied to the inoculant. The SEM test results indicated a significant reduction in particle size after vacuum rapid quenching. The Al(3)Ti-Al(2)O(3)/Al inoculants exhibited excellent grain refinement effects on the weldable Al-Cu-Mn alloy. Crystallographic calculations and HRTEM analysis revealed that Al(2)O(3) and Al have orientation relationships, indicating their potential as effective heterogeneous nucleation sites. The mechanical properties of the Al-Cu-Mn alloy were obviously improved after the Al(3)Ti-Al(2)O(3)/Al inoculant was added.