Precipitates-interaction capture of nano-sized iron-rich precipitates during copper solidification

Nano-sized iron-rich precipitates reinforced copper alloys achieve excellent mechanical properties. Capture mechanism of iron-rich precipitates into copper grains during solidification was described but needs further validation. Here, Cu-1.5Fe-0.5Co (wt-%) alloy is fabricated by gravity casting. Iron-rich precipitates in nano and submicron scale (mostly < 100 nm) are well dispersed in copper grain interior. Traditional pushing/engulfment transition (PET) models are used to interpret the capture process of iron-rich precipitates during copper solidification, but all fail to match the experimental results. The precipitates-interaction capture mechanism is most reasonable for describing the capture process.