Influence of Ce addition on impact properties and microstructures of 2519A aluminum alloy

Dynamic impact testing of 2519A aluminum alloy with additions of 0, 0.2 and 0.4 wt% Ce was carried out by a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) equipment performed at temperatures (293 K and 573 K) and different nominal strain rates (1200, 3100 and 5100 s(-1)). The influences of Ce contents on impact mechanical properties and microstructures of 2519A aluminum alloy were investigated. The results show that the addition of 0.2 wt% Ce leads to an increased precipitation phase volume fraction, as well as a more dispersive and homogeneous distribution of theta' precipitates, which improves the ability of absorbing impact energy. Adiabatic shear lines, fibrous structure and dynamic recrystallizied grains were observed in the impacted specimens and could be attributed to stress concentration and adiabatic temperature rise. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.