Optimization of Solution Treatment of Cast Al-7Si-0.3Mg and Al-8Si-3Cu-0.5Mg Alloys

The influence of solidification rate on the solution-treatment response has been investigated for an Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy and an Al-8Si-3Cu-0.5Mg alloy. The concentrations of Mg, Cu, and Si in the matrix after different solution-treatment times were measured using a wavelength dispersive spectrometer. All Mg dissolves into the matrix for the Al-Si-Mg alloy when solution treated at 803 K (530 °C) because the π-Fe phase is unstable and transforms into short β-Fe plates which release Mg. The Q-Al₅Mg₈Cu₂Si₆ phase do not dissolve completely at 768 K (495 °C) in the Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloy and the concentration in the matrix reached 0.22 to 0.25 wt pct Mg. The distance between π-Fe phases and Al₂Cu phases was found to determine the solution-treatment time needed for dissolution and homogenization for the Al-Si-Mg alloy and Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloy, respectively. From the distance between the phases, a dimensionless diffusion time was calculated which can be used to estimate the solution-treatment times needed for different coarsenesses of the microstructure. A model was developed to describe the dissolution and homogenization processes.     

Modeling of feeding behavior of solidifying Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy plate casting

The systematic change of riser size, together with the variation of geometries of solidifying Al-7Si-0.3Mg plate castings, was tested by thermal analysis to model the interdendritic feeding behavior based on Darcy’s law. This law, however, is found to be only applicable to certain thermal conditions in the solidifying casting. The applicability of Darcy’s law depends on the regime of solidification time. A new feeding efficiency parameter integrating all individual ther-mal variables, denoted as(G · t ^2/3)V_s (whereG is the thermal gradient,t is local solidification time, and V_{s i} is solidus velocity), is found satisfactory to predict the formation of porosity. The combined geometries of a casting and its riser size exert a great influence on the thermal vari-ables of Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy in a complicated way. Together, these thermal variables synergize to govern the feeding behavior of the casting.     

Refinement of Eutectic Si Phase in Al-5Si Alloys with Yb Additions

A series of Al-5 wt pct Si alloys with Yb additions (up to 6100 ppm) have been investigated using thermal analysis and multiscale microstructure characterization techniques. The addition of Yb was found to cause no modification effect to a fibrous morphology involving Si twinning; however, a refined plate-like eutectic structure was observed. The Al₂Si₂Yb phase was observed with Yb addition level of more than 1000 ppm. Within the eutectic Al and Si phases, the Al₂Si₂Yb phase was also found as a precipitation from the remained liquid. No Yb was detected in the α-Al matrix or plate-like Si particle, even with Yb addition up to 6100 ppm. The absence of Yb inside the eutectic Si particle may partly explain why no significant Si twinning was observed along {111}_Si planes in the eutectic Si particle. In addition, the formation of the thermodynamic stable YbP phases is also proposed to deteriorate the potency of AlP phase in Al alloys. This investigation highlights to distinguish the modification associated with the ever present P in Al alloys. We define modification as a transition from faceted to fibrous morphology, while a reduction of the Si size is termed refinement.     

球磨时间对纳米晶Al-7Si-0.3Mg合金粉末微观组织及硬度的影响

以机械破碎Al-7Si-0.3Mg合金粉末为原料进行高能球磨, 对不同球磨时间的合金粉末进行金相观察、X射线衍射分析、透射电镜表征及显微硬度测试, 研究球磨时间对纳米晶Al-7Si-0.3Mg合金粉末的影响。结果发现, 高能球磨导致共晶硅颗粒从微米尺度细化到亚微米尺度, 颗粒形状从多面体转变成圆形, 颗粒内部有层错生成。随着球磨时间逐渐增加到60 h, 合金粉末平均颗粒尺寸从134μm逐渐下降到22μm, Al(Si, Mg)基体晶粒尺寸从438 nm降低到23 nm, 粉末显微硬度从HV 93增加到HV 289。粉末硬度的增加主要归功于球磨导致的晶粒细化(细晶强化作用), 此外, 球磨过程中硅颗粒的细化以及球磨引起的Mg、Si原子在基体内固溶度的增加也有利于粉末硬度的提高。     

Influence of Grain Refinement on Slurry Formation and Surface Segregation in Semi-solid Al-7Si-0.3Mg Castings

This study aims to evaluate the effect of grain refinement on slurry formation and surface segregation in semi-solid castings produced by the Rheometal™ process. The effect of two grain refiners, Al-8B and Al-5Ti-1B, on the slurry α-Al grain size, shape factor and solid fraction was evaluated. The results suggest that the addition of a grain refiner can affect the solid fraction obtained in the Rheometal^TM process and, consequently, reduce the solute content near the casting surface. Grain refiner addition resulted in a larger fraction of α-Al grains ≤ 60 µm for the refined alloys compared with the unrefined alloy. Additionally, the growth of α-Al slurry globules was greater for the unrefined alloy compared with the refined alloy during solidification in the die-cavity. A more homogeneous and finer microstructure was observed near the surface in the grain-refined castings compared with the unrefined castings. Evidence of significant liquid penetration was identified in some α-Al globules, indicating that disintegration of α-Al globules may occur during the Rheometal™ casting process.

     

Effect of Combined Addition of Cu and Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Al-7Si-0.3Mg Alloy

In this study, an ultrasonic cavitation based dispersion technique was used to fabricate Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloyed with Cu and reinforced with 1 wt pct Al₂O₃ nanoparticles, in order to investigate their influence on the mechanical properties and microstructures of Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy. The combined addition of 0.5 pct Cu with 1 pct Al₂O₃ nanoparticles increased the yield strength, tensile strength, and ductility of the as-cast Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy, mostly due to grain refinement and modification of the eutectic Si and θ-CuAl₂ phases. Moreover, Al-7Si-0.3Mg-0.5Cu-1 pct Al₂O₃ nanocomposites after T6 heat treatment showed a significant enhancement of ductility (increased by 512 pct) and tensile strength (by 22 pct). The significant enhancement of properties is attributed to the suppression of pore formation and modification of eutectic Si phases due to the addition of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles. However, the yield strength of the T6 heat-treated nanocomposites was limited in enhancement due to a reaction between Mg and Al₂O₃ nanoparticles.     

Influence of calcium on the microstructure and properties of an Al-7Si-0.3Mg-xFe alloy

The effect of Ca addition on the microstructure, physical characteristics (density/porosity), and mechanical properties (tensile and impact strength) has been investigated in an Al-7Si-0.3Mg-xFe (x=0.2, 0.4, and 0.7) alloy. The size of Al-Fe intermetallic platelets (β-Al₅FeSi) increased with increasing Fe content. The addition of Ca modified the eutectic microstructure and also reduced the size of intermetallic Fe-platelets, causing improved elongation and impact strengths. A low level of Ca addition (39 ppm) reduced the proosity of the alloys. The tensile strength was decreased marginally with Ca addition. However, Ca addition improved the ductility of the alloy by 18.3, 16.7, and 44 pct and the impact strength by 44, 48, and 15.8 pct for Fe contents of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.7 pct, respectively.     

Wear mechanisms in hybrid composites of Graphite-20 Pct SiC in A356 Aluminum Alloy (Al-7 Pct Si-0.3 Pct Mg)

The wear behavior of A356 aluminum alloy (Al-7 Pct Si-0.3 Pct Mg) matrix composites reinforced with 20 vol Pct SiC particles and 3 or 10 vol Pct graphite was investigated. These hybrid composites represent the merging of two philosophies in tribological material design: soft-particle lubrication by graphite and hard-particle reinforcement by carbide particles. The wear tests were performed using a block-on-ring (SAE 52100 steel) wear machine under dry sliding conditions within a load range of 1 to 441 N. The microstructural and compositional changes that took place during wear were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXA), and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The wear resistance of 3 Pct graphite-20 Pct SiC-A356 hybrid composite was comparable to 20 Pct SiC-A356 without graphite at low and medium loads. At loads below 20N, both hybrid and 20 Pct SiC-A356 composites without graphite demonstrated wear rates up to 10 times lower than the unreinforced A356 alloy due to the load-carrying capacity of SiC particles. The wear resistance of 3 Pct graphite 20 Pct SiC-A356 was 1 to 2 times higher than 10 Pct graphite-containing hybrid composites at high loads. However, graphite addition reduced the counterface wear. The unreinforced A356 and 20 Pct SiC-A356 showed a transition from mild to severe wear at 95 N and 225 N, respectively. Hybrid composites with 3 Pct and 10 Pct graphite did not show such a transition over the entire load range, indicating that graphite improved the seizure resistance of the composites. Tribolayers, mainly consisting of a compacted mixture of graphite, iron oxides, and aluminum, were generated on the surfaces of the hybrid composites. In the hybrid composites, the elimination of the severe wear (and hence the improvement in seizure resistance) was attributed to the reduction in friction-induced surface heating due to the presence of graphite- and iron-oxide-containing tribolayers.     

The effect of Sr and Fe additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a direct squeeze cast Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy

This article describes the results of an investigation into the microstructure and mechanical properties of a gravity die cast and direct squeeze cast LM25 alloy (Al-7Si-0.3Mg-0.3Fe). The direct squeeze cast LM25 alloy has superior mechanical properties compared to the gravity die cast LM25 alloy, especially with regard to ductility, which is increased from ∼1.7 pct for the gravity die cast LM25 alloy to ∼8.0 pct for the direct squeeze cast LM25 alloy in the T6 heat-treated condition. This increase in ductility is due to (1) the removal of porosity, (2) a decrease in Si particle size, and (3) a refinement of the Fe-Si-aluminide particles. High cooling rates in direct squeeze casting result in quench modification of the Si particles, such that chemical modification with Sr or Na may not be required. In addition, direct squeeze casting is more tolerant of Fe impurities in the alloy, due to the formation of smaller Fe-Si-aluminide particles than those in gravity die cast material. The direct squeeze cast LM25+Fe alloy (Al-7Si-0.3Mg-1.0Fe) has a ductility of ∼6.5 pct, compared to that of ∼0.5 pct for the gravity die cast LM25 + Fe alloy in the T6 heat-treated condition. This increase in tolerance to Fe impurities can lead to a substantial reduction in manufacturing costs due to (1) reduced raw-material costs, (2) reduced die sticking, and (3) improved die life.     

The quench sensitivity of cast Al-7 wt pct Si-0.4 wt pct Mg alloy

The effect of quenching condition on the mechanical properties of an A356 (Al-7 wt pct Si-0.4 wt pct Mg) casting alloy has been studied using a combination of mechanical testing, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). As the quench rate decreases from 250 °C/s to 0.5 °C/s, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and yield strength decrease by approximately 27 and 33 pct, respectively. The ductility also decreases with decreasing quench rate. It appears that with the peak-aged condition, both the UTS and yield strength are a logarithmic function of the quench rate,i.e., UTS orσ _y =A logR +B. The termA is a measure of quench sensitivity. For both UTS and yield strength of the peak-aged A356 alloy,A is approximately 32 to 33 MPa/log (°C/s). The peak-aged A356 alloy is more quench sensitive than the aluminum alloy 6063. For 6063,A is approximately 10 MPa/log (°C/s). The higher quench sensitivity of A356 is probably due to the high level of excess Si. A lower quench rate results in a lower level of solute supersaturation in the α-Al matrix and a decreased amount of excess Si in the matrix after quenching. Both of these mechanisms play important roles in causing the decrease in the strength of the peak-aged A356 with decreasing the quench rate.     

Quench Sensitivity of an Al-7 Pct Si-0.6 Pct Mg Alloy: Characterization and Modeling

The quench sensitivity of a cast Al-7 wt pct Si-0.6 wt pct Mg alloy was characterized by tensile tests and scanning electron microscopy. Specimens were cooled from the solution treatment temperature following 58 different cooling paths including interrupted and delayed quenches. Analysis of the microstructure showed that quench precipitates were Mg₂Si (β), which nucleated heterogeneously on Si eutectic particles as well as in the aluminum matrix, presumably on dislocations. The quench sensitivity of the alloy’s yield strength was modeled by multiple C-curves, using an improved methodology for quench factor analysis. The three C-curves used in the model represented loss of solute by (1) diffusion of Si to eutectic particles, (2) precipitation of β on Si eutectic particles, and (3) precipitation of β in the matrix. The model yielded a R ² of 0.994 and a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 7.4 MPa. The model and the implications of the results are discussed in the article. This article is based on a presentation made in the symposium entitled “Simulation of Aluminum Shape Casting Processing: From Design to Mechanical Properties,” which occurred March 12–16, 2006 during the TMS Spring Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, under the auspices of the Computational Materials Science and Engineering Committee, the Process Modeling, Analysis and Control Committee, the Solidification Committee, the Mechanical Behavior of Materials Committee, and the Light Metal Division/Aluminum Committee.     

Corrosion Behavior of Welded Joints of Al-6Mg Alloy with Trace Scandium Addition

Al-6Mg alloy with trace Sc addition was prepared by means of melting-casting.The samples of the welded joints of Al-6Mg alloy with trace Sc addition were made by method of manual argon-arc welding.Neutral salt spray test was carried out by referring to GB/T10125-1997 and GB6384-1986 practice.Exfoliation testing was carried out in accordance with the method of Al-Mg alloy exfoliation corrosion test.The corrosion behaviors of the welded joints of AlMg alloy with high level of Mg and trace Sc addition were studied.The microstructures of the welded joints were observed by using optical microscope and transmission electron microscope.The corrosion resistance mechanism of the alloy was also involved.This work intended to determine if the welded joints of Al-6Mgalloy with trace Sc addition can have excellent corrosion resistance, when their strength are clearly improved.The results show that trace content of Sc refines the grains of alloys effectively, raises remarkably the corrosion resistance of the welded joints of Al-6Mg alloy with trace Sc addition.The corrosion resistance mechanisms are that there is free of continuous grain boundary precipitation or network which could be susceptible to corrosion in the microstructure of welded joints.     

Mechanical Property and Intergranular Corrosion Sensitivity of Zn-Free and Zn-Microalloyed Al-2.7Cu-1.7Li-0.3Mg Alloys

The influence of 0.72 pct Zn addition on the tensile properties of Al-2.7Cu-1.7Li-0.3Mg alloys was investigated. Their intergranular corrosion (IGC) dependence on aging [T6 type at 423 K (150 °C) and 448 K (175 °C) and T8 type at 423 K (150 °C)] time was studied. An IGC diagram associated with aging process was established. The addition of 0.72 pct Zn enhanced the strength of the Al-Li alloy with T6 type aging at 448 K (175 °C). With aging process, the corrosion mode of the T6-aged Al-Li alloys was changed in the following order: pitting and local IGC (initial aging stage), general IGC (underaging stage), local IGC (near peak-aging stage), and pitting (overaging stage) again. The IGC depth was increased first and then decreased with aging time extension. The corrosion potential change of grains and the microstructure variation were used to explain the IGC sensitivity of the Al-Li alloy with different tempers. Meanwhile, 0.72 pct Zn addition decreased the IGC sensitivity of the Al-Li alloy, especially the T6-aged Al-Li alloy.     

喷射沉积Al-12Si-0.6Mg合金的微观组织与性能

共晶合金具有良好的激光焊接性能,为提高电子封装盖板用Al-12Si合金的强度并保持良好的热物理性能,采用喷射沉积与热压烧结技术制备Al-12Si合金,研究添加0.6％Mg对合金微观组织、力学性能和热物理性能的影响.结果表明,喷射沉积/热压烧结Al-12Si合金中Si相呈近球形颗粒,平均直径为(4.5±0.2)μm,均匀...     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-7Si-0.7Mg alloy formed with an addition of(Pr+Ce)

Effects of(Pr+Ce) addition on the Al-7Si-0.7Mg alloy were investigated by optical microscope(OM), energy diffraction spectrum(EDS), X-ray diffraction(XRD) and tensile tests. The results showed that the Al-7Si-0.7Mg alloy was modified with(Pr+Ce) addition. The needle-like eutectic silicon phase developed into rose form and the crystalline grains decreased in size and showed a high degree of spheroidization. When the amount of the(Pr+Ce) addition reached 0.6 wt.%, the mean diameter was 31.8 μm(refined by 50%). The aspect ratio decreased to 1.35, and the tensile strength and ductility reached 192.4 MPa and 2.18%, respectively. At higher levels of addition, over-modification occurred, as indicated by increased grain size and reduced mechanical properties. The poisoning effect of the(Pr+Ce) addition on eutectic silicon and the constitutional supercooling caused by the(Pr+Ce) addition were the major causes of alloy modification, grain refinement, and the improvement of mechanical properties.     

Influence of Mg on Grain Refinement of Near Eutectic Al-Si Alloys

Although the grain-refinement practice is well established for wrought Al alloys, in the case of foundry alloys such as near eutectic Al-Si alloys, the underlying mechanisms and the use of grain refiners need better understanding. Conventional grain refiners such as Al-5Ti-1B are not effective in grain refining the Al-Si alloys due to the poisoning effect of Si. In this work, we report the results of a newly developed grain refiner, which can effectively grain refine as well as modify eutectic and primary Si in near eutectic Al-Si alloys. Among the material choices, the grain refining response with Al-1Ti-3B master alloy is found to be superior compared to the conventional Al-5Ti-1B master alloy. It was also found that magnesium additions of 0.2 wt pct along with the Al-1Ti-3B master alloy further enhance the near eutectic Al-Si alloy’s grain refining efficiency, thus leading to improved bulk mechanical properties. We have found that magnesium essentially scavenges the oxygen present on the surface of nucleant particles, improves wettability, and reduces the agglomeration tendency of boride particles, thereby enhancing grain refining efficiency. It allows the nucleant particles to act as potent and active nucleation sites even at levels as low as 0.2 pct in the Al-1Ti-3B master alloy.     

The effect of mischmetal addition on the structure and mechanical properties of a cast Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy containing excess iron (up to 0.6 Pct)

The effect of Fe content (0.2 to 0.6 pct) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a cast Al-7Si-0.3Mg (LM 25/356) alloy has been investigated. Further, 1 pct mischmetal (MM) additions (a mixture of rare-earth (RE) elements) were made to these alloys, and their mechanical properties at room and at elevated temperatures (up to 200 °C) were evaluated. A structure-property correlation on this alloy was attempted using optical microstructure analysis, fractographs, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDX), and quantitative metallography by image analysis. An increase in Fe content increased the volume percentage of Fe-bearing intermetallic compounds (β and π phases), contributing to the loweryield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), percentage elongation, and higher hardness. An addition of 1 pct MM to the alloys containing 0.2 and 0.6 pct Fe was found to refine the microstructure; modify the eutectic silicon and La, Ce, and Nd present in the MM; form different intermetallic compounds with Al, Si, Fe, and Mg; and improve the mechanical properties of the alloys both at room and elevated temperatures.     

Solidification and Microstructural Evolution of Hypereutectic Al-15Si-4Cu-Mg Alloys with High Magnesium Contents

The low coefficient of thermal expansion and good wear resistance of hypereutectic Al-Si-Mg alloys with high Mg contents, together with the increasing demand for lightweight materials in engine applications have generated an increasing interest in these materials in the automotive industry. In the interests of pursuing the development of new wear-resistant alloys, the current study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Mg additions ranging from 6 to 15 pct on the solidification behavior of hypereutectic Al-15Si-4Cu-Mg alloy using thermodynamic calculations, thermal analysis, and extensive microstructural examination. The Mg level strongly influenced the microstructural evolution of the primary Mg₂Si phase as well as the solidification behavior. Thermodynamic predictions using ThermoCalc software reported the occurrence of six reactions, comprising the formation of primary Mg₂Si; two pre-eutectic binary reactions, forming either Mg₂Si + Si or Mg₂Si + α-Al phases; the main ternary eutectic reaction forming Mg₂Si + Si + α-Al; and two post-eutectic reactions resulting in the precipitation of the Q-Al₅Mg₈Cu₂Si₆ and θ-Al₂Cu phases, respectively. Microstructures of the four alloys studied confirmed the presence of these phases, in addition to that of the π-Al₈Mg₃FeSi₆ (π-Fe) phase. The presence of the π-Fe phase was also confirmed by thermal analysis. The morphology of the primary Mg₂Si phase changed from an octahedral to a dendrite form at 12.52 pct Mg. Any further Mg addition only coarsened the dendrites. Image analysis measurements revealed a close correlation between the measured and calculated phase fractions of the primary Mg₂Si and Si phases. ThermoCalc and Scheil calculations show good agreement with the experimental results obtained from microstructural and thermal analyses.     

An induction heating process with coil design and solutions avoiding coarsening phenomena of Al-6 Pct Si-3 Pct Cu-0.3 Pct Mg alloy for thixoforming

During the thixoforming process, it is very important to obtain a uniform temperature, which affects the uniformity of the solid fraction, throughout the billet. Consequently, a heating method that can provide a suitable temperature profile throughout the billet must be chosen. Other parameters that must be considered include heating time (in order to minimize the total processing time), the level of control, and temperature consistency. An optimal design of the induction coil has been identified that best meets these criteria. In a previous study, the theoretical optimal coil design was verified through the FEM simulation of the induction heating process by using a general purpose finite element analysis code, ANSYS. So, in this study, the suitability of the coil design was also demonstrated by conducting induction-heating experiments. The optimal reheating conditions to apply the thixoforming (thixoforging and semisolid die casting) process were investigated by varying the reheating time, the holding time, the reheating temperatures, the capacity of the induction heating system, and the size of the adiabatic material. The final holding time was observed to be the most important factor in obtaining a fine globular microstructure and to prevent coarsening in the three-step reheating process.