Influence of the Parameters of Combined Processing and Drawing on the Structure and Properties of Conductor Semi-finished Products From Aluminum Alloys with Additives of Rare Earth and Transition Metals

The properties and structure of a conductor wire made of aluminum with 0.1-0.3% Zr, 0.4-3.3% Ce, and 0.1-1.0% Fe, fabricated by the method of ingotless rolling-extrusion (IRE) proposed by the authors, followed by drawing and intermediate annealing presented. Replacement of a part of Zr with Ce, Fe and the application of the IRE method provide the necessary properties of the wire by reducing the cost of manufacturing the alloy and the number of technological operations. To obtain a supersaturated Zr & alpha;(Al) solid solution after IRE without the formation of primary Al3Zr intermetallic phases to ensure uniform distribution of Al4(Ce, La), Al(Ce, La)Fe and AlFeSi phases, it is necessary to introduce an alloy into the melt at a temperature of 820-850 & DEG;C, and deformation during IRE with elongation coefficient 4.4-14.3 ensures the strength of extruded rods 140-190 MPa with elongation to failure 25-30%. IRE, drawing of rods with combinations of Zr, Ce, Fe, and annealing on the properties of the wire has been studied. Annealing at 350 & DEG;C, 40 h-450 & DEG;C, 20 h after IRE, drawing, provides the electrical resistance of the wire 0.0294 & omega; mm2/m, strength 174 MPa and elongation to failure 1.5-2% with reduced Zr content to 0.10% by adding 0.6% Ce and 0.7% Fe. Aluminum alloys Al-3.3Ce-0.1Fe, Al-0.3Zr-0.2Fe, Al-0.20Zr-1.0Fe, Al-0.10Zr-0.60Ce-0.70Fe and flow charts for the production of conductor wire recommended. Wires meet the requirements of ASTM B941-16 and IEC 62004-07. The research was supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation No. 22-79-00108, https://rscf.ru/project/22-79-00108/.

Automated summary

This article discusses the properties and structure of a conductor wire made of aluminum, zirconium, cerium, and iron, and the manufacturing process using the method of ingotless rolling-extrusion. By replacing a part of zirconium and applying the ingotless rolling-extrusion method, the cost of manufacturing the alloy and the number of technological operations are reduced, while achieving the necessary properties of the wire. The effects of annealing on the properties of the wire are also studied.