Development of Heat- and Creep-resistant Fine-grained Rapidly Solidified P/M Aluminum Alloy

The new alloy$^{1)}$ is made from rapidly solidified Al-Ni-Zr-Ce aluminum alloy powder, and has the following unique mechanical characteristics:(1) The stress-strain curve shows a yield point; (2) The alloy shows high heat resistance; (3) Although the alloy is submicron particle diameter, it shows excellent creep resistance. We observed the micro structures of this new alloy, and it is thought that is based on the following reasons:(1) The dislocation strongly adheres to the alloy's many crystal boundaries;(2) The added alloying elements have a small diffusion coefficient in aluminum;(3) The tiny intermetallic compound particles crystallizing at the grain boundary.