Abstract

The theoretical optimum quaternary composition for improving the thermal stability of Al-Ti alloy was recently proposed. On the basis of the suggestion, quaternary Al-Ti-V-Zr alloy powders corresponding to the optimum compositions, one of which belongs to the region of the smallest lattice misfit between the matrix and the precipitates and the other belongs to the region of the smallest rate constant of coarsening, were prepared by mechanical alloying and the powders were vacuum-hot-pressed at 430°C under the pressure of 800 MPa. The thermal stability of the specimens was evaluated by hardness testing after isothermal aging up to 400 hrs at various temperatures. The decrease of hardness of Al-Ti-V-Zr alloys was smaller than that of Al-Ti alloys. It was considered to be due to the formation of Al_3Zr type andAl_3Ti type quaternary precipitates having smaller lattice misfit than Al_3Ti and the increase of volume fraction of All0v during the isothermal aging. The quaternary Al-Ti-V-Zr alloys corresponding to the smallest lattice misfit showed the most improved thermal stablilty and it was mainly considered to be due to the formation of All0v.