Distribution characteristics of constituent particles in thick plate of 2024 Al-T351

Constituent particles and precipitations in 2024 Al-T351 were analysed in order to investigate their spatial distribution characteristics using various methods that are optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and synchrotron-radiation based X-ray microtomography (XTM). The OM method provides quantitative or half-quantitative results of the size, distance and shape of the particles. The SEM method produces graded information on the particles and precipitations with wider magnification scales. XTM method provides a clear view of the spatial distribution of the coarse particles and particle clusters. It was found that the particle clusters form interfaces, which separate the material into disk-like matrix domains. The interfaces are expected to have a low mechanical strength, which promotes damage and fracture in the material.