Neutron and X-ray Diffraction Texture Analysis of Novel Al-Si-Mg Alloy

摘要

Crystallographic texture and mierostructure of as-casted specimen of a novel aluminum-based alloy is analyzed. Pole figures recorded by means of neutron and X-ray diffraction methods are used as the primary data in texture analysis. The data collection is performed on the SmartLab diffractometer (Rigaku) diffractometer with Cu rotating anode X-ray tube, and the KSN-2 neutron diffractometer located at the research reactor LVR-15 in the Nuclear Research Institute, plc. Rez, Czech Republic. Software tools GSAS, X'Pert Texture, and MTEX are applied in the subsequent data processing. Additional characterization methods applied include elemental composition analysis by the instrumental neutron activation analysis, phase analysis by X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction, and mierostructure analysis by scanning electron microscopy and metallographie optical microscopy. Elemental composition of the alloy is dominated by Al (79.91 wt.%), Si (9.90 wt. %) and Mg (4.19 wt. Aluminum (cubic, Fm3m), silicon (cubic, Fd3m) and magnesium silicide (Mg2Si, cubic, Fm3m) phases are then identified as the main crystallographic phases. Crystallographic preferential orientation of the main Al phase is only analyzed and discussed; the other two phases do not provide well-resolved diffraction maxima necessary for a reliable texture analysis.