Properties of dispersion casting of Y2O3 particles in hypo, hyper and eutectic binary Al-Cu alloys

In the present work, the dispersion casting of Y2O3 particles in aluminum-copper alloy was investigated in terms of microstructural changes with respect to Cu contents of 20 (hypo), 33 (eutectic) and 40 (hyper) wt pct by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). For the fabrication of Al-Cu alloy dispersed Y2O3 ceramic particles, stir casting method was employed. In case of Al-20 wt pct Cu alloy (hypoeutectic), SEM images revealed that primary Al was grown up in the beginning. After that, eutectic phase with well dispersed ceramic particles was formed. In case of eutectic composition, Y2O3 particles were uniformly dispersed in the matrix. When the Cu is added into Al up to 40 wt pct (hypereutectic), primary θ phase was grown up without any Y2O3 ceramic particles in the early stage of solidification. Thereafter, eutectic phase was formed with well dispersed ceramic particles. It can be concluded that Y2O3 ceramic particles is mostly dispersed in case of eutectic composition in Al-Cu alloy.