Nanophase precipitation strengthened Al alloys processed through the amorphous state

A method for manufacture of an aluminum alloy characterized by high strength including high strength in a temperature range greater than about 250° C. comprising the steps of:

• (a) forming a melt mixture of aluminum, about 2 to about 12 atomic percent of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Ti, Fe, Y, Sc, Cu, Zn, V, Cr, Mn and Li, and at least one rare earth selected from the group consisting of about 2 to 15 atomic percent Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu;
• (b) converting said melt to an amorphous state wherein the mixture comprises at least about 70% by volume amorphous material;
• and
• (c) devitrifying said amorphous material to at least in part a crystalline matrix of at least about 30% by volume fcc and at least about 10% by volume L12 phase.

An aluminum alloy characterized by high strength including high strength at a temperature greater than about 250° C. made by a process comprising the steps of:

• (a) formulating a melt comprised of Al;
• at least one transition metal (TM) selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Ti, Fe, Y, Sc, Cu, Zn, V, Cr, Mn, Li and Mg;
• and at least one rare earth selected from the group consisting of Er, Tm, Yb, Lu;
• (b) converting the melt to at least about 70% by volume amorphous material;
• and
• (c) devitrifying at least in part the amorphous material to a mixture of fee and L12 crystalline precipitate phase material.