Annealing Time Effect on the Microstructure, Phase Evolution, and Magnetic Properties of Self-Foaming AlCuFe Alloy
, Ismeli Alfonso Lopez 3, Gonzalo Gonzalez 1,* and Ignacio Alejandro Figueroa 1,*
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe paper concerns Al alloys foams, particularly the self-foaming method for producing AlCuFe metallic foams without the need for external foaming agents.
This approach have been explored before for the synthesis of AlCuFe metallic foams for a wide range of stoichiometric compositions. This research is an attempt to study the porosity formation mechanism, structure, thermal, and mechanical properties.
Although the paper is of some interest to readers prior publishing it is necessary to make mandatory corrections.
General comments.
The manuscript is clear but presented in a poorly-structured manner, i.e. part of the results (thermal properties) are missed and Magnetic properties overload the paper.
It is doubtful that the work fit the Inorganics journal scope. Its goal and results match better Material Science. Heavy investigation of Magnetic properties may address the paper to some Physical journals.
Title should be corrected.
Methods and results of thermal properties (at least, Heat capacity, Thermal Expansion. Thermal conductivity) investigation are missed and should be added. DTA analyses only can not determine the thermal properties.
Some rearrangement of Sections (lines 74-82 etc.) should be done that indicated directly in the text.
Results.
Proper study of pores size distribution, their morphology etc. should be presented.
The novelty of this research is not specified. Porosity formation through a peritectic reaction is a known fact as well as microstructure transformation in AlCuFe system at thermal treatment.
The practical value of this research should be stated.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe authors carried out several materials characterisations and testing to study the effect of annealing time on various properties of self-foaming AlCuFe alloy. This work is generally interesting to readers in the metallic materials and magnetic materials research directions. Before this work can be accepted, the following concerns should be addressed:
- Authors mentioned "After six hours of heat treatment, the microstructure reveals the presence of four distinct phases: ι-Al6Cu2Fe, β(τ), and λ. Notably, the η phase is absent from the detectable phases, although the presence of minor undetectable traces cannot be entirely excluded." - This statement is confusing. Is the η phase present or absent?
- Authors should provide the XRD patterns of individual β and τ phases to show that they are in fact very close to each other.
- How did the authors confirm the exact elemental compositions of each phase using SEM-EDS, given that EDS is a semi-quantitative analytical method?
- How did the authors measure the volumetric porosity through single SEM images?
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis study investigates the effects of annealing treatment on the microstructure and magnetic properties of AlCuFe self--foaming alloys. It examines the cast microstructure of self--foaming AlCuFe alloys, determines the relationship between annealing time and foam alloy phase composition, as well as the relationship between annealing time and alloy porosity. Finally, it provides a detailed examination and analysis of the impact of annealing time on the magnetic properties of the alloy, which is also the main contribution of this paper. The research work has certain significance for further understanding the performance of self-foaming AlCuFe alloys. The experimental data of the paper is more detailed, the analysis is correct, and the experimental data supports the conclusion. However, the author is advised to make necessary supplements to the following issues: first, why is Al58Cu27Fe15 alloy selected as the research object? Second, why does the paper focus on the magnetic properties of self-foaming AlCuFe alloy and what is the background? Third, does the increase of pore porosity caused by annealing treatment affect the magnetic properties of the alloy? Fourth, there is a lack of discussion on the research status of magnetic properties of foam alloy in the introduction.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsDear authors,
The Manuscript is improved and can be published after the final desicion of the Editor.
