As-cast 6xxx aluminum alloys contain beta-Al9Fe2Si 2 intermetallic particles that form at grain boundaries and interdendritic regions during solidification. This secondary phase has a considerable negative influence on the workability of the material during subsequent deformation processing; e.g. it has been linked to the extrusion pick-up defect. To lessen its deleterious effects, beta-Al9Fe2Si2 is transformed to alpha-Al8Fe2Si during the homogenization process, a typical heat treatment cycle at 540--580°C for 6--8 hours.; The scientific objective of this Ph.D. research was to increase the understanding of morphological, chemical, and crystallographic aspects of the beta- to alpha-AlFeSi phase transformation. The two AlFeSi phases differ in size, shape, color, chemical composition, crystal structure, and bonding strength with the surrounding aluminum matrix. Various microscopy (optical and electron) techniques have been employed to examine these particle characteristics. This research investigates the particles' evolution during intermediate heat treatment conditions.; Light optical microscopy was used to study the size, color, and two-dimensional shapes of AlFeSi particles. As homogenization progresses, microstructures contain long, charcoal-colored needles (beta-Al9Fe2Si 2), which slowly transform to shorter, gray spheroids (alpha-Al 8Fe2Si). Backscatter electron imaging in the scanning electron microscope was used for higher magnification micrographs and more detailed particle measurements.; Due to the complex morphologies of the AlFeSi particles, planar imaging was insufficient to accurately describe their shape. Three-dimensional microstructures were obtained via serial sectioning performed on a dual-beam focused ion beam instrument. Particle-matrix interfaces from sequential images were extracted and compiled into isosurfaces. alpha-spheroids possess much lower surface area-to-volume ratios than beta-platelets. For intermediate homogenization times, the alpha-phase was found to nucleate on the sides and grow at the expense of the beta-particles, which shrink lengthwise. The alpha-phase eventually encapsulates the ends of the plates making them rounded, with a thin middle region.; To confirm morphological-based AlFeSi phase predictions, specific particles were identified via chemical composition using energy dispersive spectroscopy. As homogenization proceeds, Si diffuses away from the beta-AlFeSi; the Fe:Si ratio increases until the microstructure contains strictly alpha-particles. Intermetallics were also identified via crystallography, using electron backscatter diffraction. The thin dimension of beta-platelets corresponds to the c-axis of the monoclinic unit cell.
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