Anomalous Mitigation in Phase Evolution Impacting Thermal Stability in a Rapidly Solidified AA5182 Al-Mg Alloy via Continuous Thin-Strip Casting

This study, for the first time, reports an anomalous phase evolution and its impact on the thermal and oxidation behavior of rapidly solidified AA5182 Al-Mg alloy strip fabricated using a novel thin-strip (TS) continuous casting technique. The microstructural analysis reveals a through-thickness gradient microstructure of distinct types, morphology, and fractions of nonequilibrium Al-Mn-Fe intermetallic and Al-Mg eutectic phases. The rapid solidification experienced in TS casting effectively mitigates the formation of phases, particularly with the Al-Mg (beta-Al3Mg2) eutectic, being nearly absent from the near-surface regions. The total fraction of formed phases is considerably lower than that in the slowly cooled direct-chill counterpart. The solute macrosegregation also shows an inverse Mg segregation profile toward the strip surface primarily due to a higher degree of matrix supersaturation closer to the strip surface. Modeling of solidification successfully predicts the influence of cooling rate on the fractions of the nonequilibrium eutectic phase, agreeing well with the experimental data obtained from image analysis. Heat treating the samples over a broad temperature range unveiled unexpected improvements in oxidation resistance and excellent thermal stability, attributed to the absence of the eutectic beta-phase in subsurface regions. The research findings have practical implications for improving the properties of sheet Al-Mg alloys. This study unveils an unprecedented phase evolution in a novel thin-strip casting technique for AA5182 Al-Mg alloy. Rapid solidification in thin-strip casting remarkably reduces nonequilibrium phases, especially the Al-Mg eutectic. Thin-strip casting unexpectedly enhances oxidation resistance and thermal stability. The practical applications aimed at improving the properties of Al-Mg alloys underscore the significance of this research.image (c) 2023 WILEY-VCH GmbH