Evolution of V-containing phases during preparation of Al-based Al-V master alloys

Al-based Al-V master alloys were prepared by both the stepwise heating melting experiment and stepwise melting cooling experiment with rapid solidification to investigate the transformation of V-containing phases which gave different effects on microstructures and properties of commercial Al alloys and Ti alloys, as both melting and solidification processes affect the evolution of V-containing phases largely. The results showed that the raw Al-50wt.%V alloy consisted of needle-like Al3V phase and Al8V5 phase (matrix), while petal-like Al3V, needle-like Al7V and plate-like Al10V phase were present in the Al-V master alloys. The metastable Al7V phase was evolved from Al3V phase and then evolved into Al10V phase during melting process. The number of Al10V phase increased with the decrease of temperature in the range of 800-1000 degrees C. Petal-like Al3V phases could be transformed from Al8V5 phase, pre-precipitated from Al-V molten liquid during melting process and precipitated directly during rapid solidification, respectively.