Precipitates in a quasicrystal-strengthened Al–Mn–Be–Cu alloy

In this work, an Al–Mn–Be–Cu alloy was studied containing a primary and eutectic icosahedral quasicrystalline phase in the as-cast microstructure. Special attention was given to a transmission electron microscopy investigation of precipitates formed within the aluminium solid solution (Al ss ) at different temperatures. At 200 °C, only binary Al–Cu precipitates (θ′) were formed. At 300 °C, icosahedral quasicrystalline (IQC) precipitates prevailed with a crystallographic orientation relationship with the Al ss. The rods of the T-phase (Al 20 Mn 3 Cu 2 ) which were precipitated above 400 °C, also had a specific orientation relationship with the Al ss . The primary and eutectic IQC microstructural constituent started to transform rapidly to the T-phase and Be 4 Al(Mn,Cu) at 500 °C.