Machine Learning-Augmented Modeling on the Formation of Non-Conventional Nano-Precipitates in Fast Solidified Al Alloys

  • Fan, Yue (University of Michigan, Ann Abor)

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The mechanical behaviors of Al alloys are dictated by the precipitates formed during processing and/or heat treatment. Recent experiments [1] have shown that Al-Si-Mg alloys solidified under high cooling rates contain Si-enriched clusters that are remarkably different from the Mg-Si co-clusters (e.g. β” particles) in conventionally cast alloys. However, the responsible mechanism remains unknown. Here by integrating energy landscape sampling [2] within complex local chemistry, machine learning techniques [3], and a kMC framework, we discovered that the actual vacancy-Si migration barriers are much lower than those assumed in the classic linear interpolation approximation, and we further uncovered new microstructural evolution pathways leading to the formation of non-conventional nanoscale precipitates. Our findings help explain the experiments in Al alloys processed via high-pressure die casting or selective laser melting. These results may have important implications for the strengthening mechanisms in hardenable Al alloys, particularly through the lens of nanoscale structural evolution and non-equilibrium processing pathways. REFERENCES [1] T. Liu, Z. Pei, D. Barton, G.B. Thompson, L.N. Brewer. Characterization of nanostructures in a high pressure die cast Al-Si-Cu alloy. Acta Materialia 224 (2022) 117500. [2] Y. Fan, T. Iwashita, T. Egami. Energy landscape-driven non-equilibrium evolution of inherent structure in disordered material. Nature Communications 8 (2017) 15417. [3] Y. Wang, B. Ghaffari, C. Taylor, S. Lekakh, M. Li, Y. Fan. Predicting the energetics and kinetics of Cr atoms in Fe-Ni-Cr alloys via physics-based machine learning. Scripta Materialia 205 (2021) 114177