The composition of insoluble intermetallic phases in aluminium alloy 6010

Insoluble intermetallic particles have been extracted from the complex Al (Mg, Si, Cu, Mn, Cr, Fe) alloy (designated 6010) using an extraction solution containing 8-hydroxyquinoline. The extracted particles were analysed using both X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive analysis techniques in the transmission electron microscope. The particles were found to be the cubic α-Al(Fe Mn)Si phase. Analysis showed two distinct compositions for the phase: larger particles ( > 0.5 μm) had a much higher iron content and lower silicon content than smaller particles. The absorption of other solute elements into these particles during an ageing treatment was noted. © 1981 Chapman and Hall Ltd.