Phase Composition and Structure of Al–Cu–Mn–Mg–Zn–Fe–Si Alloys Containing 2% Cu and 1.5% Mn

Calculations and experimental methods are used to study the collective and individual effect of Zn, Mg, Fe, and Si additions on the phase composition and structure of cast and cold-rolled aluminum alloys containing 2% Cu and 1.5% Mn. The combined additions of these elements of more than 3% to the base alloy were found to allow the mechanical properties of cold-rolled alloys to be kept at a level of properties of deformed base alloy despite the substantial complication of the phase composition. This largely is due to the completely fixing iron into the eutectic inclusions of the Al₁₅(Fe,Mn)₃Si₂ phase. From this, it follows the fundamental possibility of using a variety of secondary raw materials for the preparation of this alloy, which does not require homogenizing and quenching.