AbstractThe microstructure and plasticity of a directionally solidified Al-Al6Fe eutectic alloy was investigated using quantitative STEM-EDX microanalysis, in situ tensile testing in STEM/SEM, and light/electron optical studies of microstructure before and following drawing and extrusion to wire. It is found that in spite of the brittle nature of the aligned Al6Fe rods, the alloy as a whole is relatively ductile and can even be drawn or extruded to wire. In the deformed condition the Al6Fe rods are broken up and the fragments distributed uniformly throughout the aluminium matrix. The tensile strength and ductility of these drawn wires are good, 400 MN m−2and 83% area reduction, respectively. Microanalysis studies show that the iron content of the aluminium matrix following solidification is 0·04 at.-%, corresponding to an undercooling of ~3 K below the eutectic temperature. The iron content of the matrix can be reduced further by precipitation treatments.MST/86