*2.1. Melting and Casting*

The specimens for testing were prepared as follows. High purity aluminum ingots (99.9 wt.%) were first melted in an electric resistance furnace using a graphite crucible. Suitable amounts of pure Cu, Mg, Ag, Al-75Mn, and Al-60Ti master alloys were then added. Pure argon was used for degassing the melt for 40 min. After being held for 10 min at 700 ◦C, it was poured into a 125 mm × 100 mm × 25 mm steel mold preheated to 300 ◦C. Table 1 shows the experimental alloy's chemical composition as determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry.


**Table 1.** Chemical composition of the experimental alloy (wt.%)**.**

\* Standard deviations are listed in parentheses.
