Intermetallic Phases Identification and Diffusion Simulation in Twin-Roll Cast Al-Fe Clad Sheet

Aluminium steel clad materials have high potential for industrial applications. Their mechanical properties are governed by an intermetallic layer, which forms upon heat treatment at the Al-Fe interface. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to identify the phases present at the interface by selective area electron diffraction and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Three phases were identified: orthorhombic Al₅Fe₂, monoclinic Al₁₃Fe₄ and cubic Al₁₉Fe₄MnSi₂. An effective interdiffusion coefficient dependent on concentration was determined according to the Boltzmann-Matano method. The highest value of the interdiffusion coefficient was reached at the composition of the intermetallic phases. Afterwards, the process of diffusion considering the evaluated interdiffusion coefficient was simulated using the finite element method. Results of the simulations revealed that growth of the intermetallic phases proceeds preferentially in the direction of aluminium.