Effects of Solution Treatment on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al-16.9Si-4.5Cu-0.15Mg Alloy

In this paper, the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Si-Cu-Mg casting alloy under different solution conditions were investigated by optical metallographic and mechanical property test. The results show that the cast alloys were composed of α-Al, primary Si, eutectic Si, Al2Cu and Al7Cu2Fe phases. Three changes took place during solution treatment: Firstly, with the increase of solution temperature and the solution holding time extension, more and more Al2Cu phase was dissolved into the matrix; Secondly, with the increase of solution temperature and the solution holding time extension, morphology of eutectic Si, Al7Cu2Fe and other insoluble phases changed into more round; Thirdly, at the fixed solution temperature, if the solution time extended too long, it would cause grains, eutectic Si and other insoluble phases aggregated and coarsened. About mechanical properties, when the solution time was fixed, the hardness, tensile strength and the yield strength of the Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloy treated by T6 enhanced while the solution temperature increasing, and when the solution temperature was fixed, the ultimate tensile strength and the elongation of the Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloy treated by T6 increased at first and then decreased while the solution time increasing, but the hardness of the alloys affected less by the solution time.     

Evolution of second phases and mechanical properties of 7075 Al alloy processed by solution heat treatment

The effects of solution treatment on the evolution of the second phases and mechanical properties of 7075 Al alloy were studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), hardness and tensile tests. The results show that Mg(Zn, Cu, Al)₂ phases gradually dissolve into the matrix, yet the size and morphology of Al₇Cu₂Fe phase exhibit no change with the increase of the solution treatment temperature and time due to its high melting point. When the solution treatment temperature and time continue to increase, the formation of coarse black Mg₂Si particles occurs. Compared to the as-cast alloy, the microhardness, tensile strength, and elongation of the sample under solution heat treatment at 460 °C for 5 h are increased by 55.1%, 40.9% and 109.1%, respectively. This is because the eutectic Mg(Zn, Cu, Al)₂ phases almost completely dissolve and basically no coarse black Mg₂Si particles are formed.     

Effects of Al content on the corrosion properties of Mg–4Y–xAl alloys

The corrosion performances of Mg–4Y–xAl (x = 1, 2, 3, and 4 wt%) alloys in the 3.5% NaCl electrolyte solution are investigated by electrochemical tests, weight loss measurement and corrosion morphology observation. The results indicate that corrosion modes for the alloys are localized corrosion and the filiform type of attack. With Al concentration increasing from 1 to 4 wt%, the corrosion rate of Mg–4Y–xAl alloys decreases firstly and then increases, and WA42 alloy shows the best corrosion resistance. The addition of Al element to Mg–4Y alloys leads to the formation of Al₂Y and Al₁₁Y₃ intermetallic compounds and reduces the proportion of Mg₂₄Y₅ phase. Corrosion resistance of the Mg–4Y–xAl alloys mainly depends on the size and distribution of the second phases. Besides, the addition of excessive Al can greatly consumes the Y element in the matrix, thus leading to a less protective film on the alloys. The effect of the relative Volta potential changes between the second phases and α-Mg on corrosion resistance of Mg–4Y–xAl alloys is insignificant. The main corrosion products of the Mg–4Y–xAl alloys are Mg(OH)₂, Mg₃(OH)₅Cl·4H₂O, Mg_0.72Al_0.28(CO₃)_0.15(OH)_1.98(H₂O)_0.48, and Mg₄Al₂(OH)₁₂CO₃·3H₂O.     

Microstructural evolution of direct chill cast Al-15.5Si-4Cu-1Mg-1Ni-0.5Cr alloy during solution treatment

Heat treatment has important influence on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Si alloys. The most common used heat treatment method for these alloys is solution treatment followed by age-hardening. This paper investigates the microstructural evolution of a direct chill (DC) cast Al-15.5Si-4Cu-1Mg-1Ni-0.5Cr alloy after solution treated at 500, 510, 520 and 530℃, respectively for different times. The major phases observed in the as-cast alloy are α-aluminum dendrite, primary Si particle, eutectic Si, Al7Cu4Ni, Al5Cu2Mg8Si6, Al15(Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu)4Si2 and Al2Cu. The Al2Cu phase dissolves completely after being solution treated for 2 h at 500℃, while the eutectic Si, Al5Cu2Mg8Si6 and Al15(Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu)4Si2 phases are insoluble. In addition, the Al7Cu4Ni phase is substituted by the Al3CuNi phase. The α-aluminum dendrite network disappears when the solution temperature is increased to 530℃. Incipient melting of the Al2Cu-rich eutectic mixture occurrs at 520℃, and melting of the Al5Cu2Mg8Si6 and Al3CuNi phases is observed at a solution temperature of 530℃. The void formation of the structure and deterioration of the mechanical properties are found in samples solution treated at 530℃.     

Change in microstructure of Al–Si–Cu casting alloys during high temperature solution treatment

Abstract

The solution treatment in Al–Si system casting alloys is usually performed to obtain supersaturated solid solution and spheroidising Si particles. It can be inferred that a high temperature solution treatment enhances mechanical properties without any special apparatuses or techniques. However, it is well known that the solution treatment close to an eutectic temperature causes local melting. In this study, the change in microstructure of Al–Si–Cu casting alloys, which have been solution treated at temperatures ranging from 773 to 824 K, have been investigated from a viewpoint of Cu concentration and the distributions of micropores and locally melt regions due to eutectic reaction. Tensile and hardness tests were carried out to discuss the relationship between mechanical properties and microstructures. In addition to a surface observation, an internal microstructural observation was carried out using the high resolution X-ray computed tomography. The burnt regions during the high temperature solution treatment were identified to be Cu rich. Porosity increased with increasing the solution treatment temperature. The porosity in the sample solution treated above a binary eutectic temperature was confirmed to be >0˙2 vol.-%. The Cu concentration in the α-phase increased below the binary eutectic temperature.     

Microstructures and corrosion behaviors of Al–6.5Si–0.45Mg–xSc casting alloy

The microstructures and corrosion behaviors of the Al–6.5Si–0.45Mg casting alloys with the addition of Sc were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, electrochemical measurement techniques and immersion corrosion tests and compared with those of Sr-modified alloy. The results show that Sc has evident refining and modifying effects on the primary α(Al) and the eutectic Si phase of the alloy, and the effects can be enhanced with the increase of Sc content. When the Sc content is increased to 0.58 wt.%, its modifying effect on the eutectic Si is almost same as that of Sr. Sc can improve the corrosion resistance of the test alloy in NaCl solution when compared with Sr, but the excessively high Sc content cannot further increase the corrosion resistance of the alloy. The corrosion of the alloys mainly occurs in the eutectic region of the alloy, and mostly the eutectic α(Al) is dissolved. This confirms that Si phase is more noble than α(Al) phase, and the galvanic couplings can be formed between the eutectic Si and α(Al) phases.     

Mechanical and corrosion properties of newly developed Mg–Mn–Ca alloys as potential biodegradable implant materials

Calcium and manganese were selected as alloying elements to develop Mg–2Mn–xCa (x?=?0·8, 1·0, 1·2 wt-%) alloys as potential biodegradable implant materials. The mechanical properties and corrosion mechanism of both as cast and solution naturally age (T4) treated Mg–2Mn–xCa alloys were investigated. The results indicated that the distribution of the second phase dominated the corrosion process. T4 treatment could transfer coarse Mg₂Ca and α-Mn phases into dispersed fine precipitated phases, which improve mechanical and corrosion properties. Mg–2Mn–1·0Ca alloy has the best integrated performance among the developed alloys. This research indicated that T4 treated Mg–2Mn–xCa alloys are a promising candidate used as biodegradable implant material.     

The Microstructure and Tensile Properties of a Newly Developed Mg–Al/Mg<Subscript>3</Subscript>Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript> In Situ Composite in As-Cast and Extruded Conditions

The microstructures and tensile properties of Mg–x wt%Al–y wt%Sb alloys have been studied where x/y ratio was 1 and Sb(Al) contents were 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt%, respectively. The results indicated that by increasing Sb(Al) content, not only the crystals of primary Mg₃Sb₂ alter from small flake-like particles to polygonal or needle-like morphology, but also the eutectic structure changes from semi-continuous network in Mg–5Al–5Sb to continuous network in Mg–20Sb–20Al alloy. The results obtained from thermal analysis revealed different peaks related to the formation of Mg₃Sb₂ as primary phase and eutectic structure containing Mg₁₇Al₁₂?+?Al₃Mg₂ intermetallic phases. Further results also revealed that Sb(Al) additions change the solidification performance of the material by depressing the Mg₃Sb₂ nucleation temperature, reducing solidification range and widening eutectic area. Tensile testing results showed that with the increase in Sb (Al) content, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation values of the alloys are decreased in as-cast condition. But, significant improvement in the UTS and elongation values of the extruded specimens was attributed to the severe fragmentation of intermetallic phases and well distributed fine particles in the matrix which provided proper obstacles for dislocation motion. It was interesting to note that the fracture behavior of intermetallic particles was found to be different, while Mg₃Sb₂ was ductile, intermetallic compounds in eutectic regions were brittle.     

Effect of thermal exposure on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al−Si−Cu−Ni−Mg alloy produced by different casting technologies

The effect of thermal exposure at 350 °C for 200 h on microstructure and mechanical properties was investigated for Al−Si−Cu−Ni−Mg alloy, which was produced by permanent mold casting (PMC) and high pressure die casting (HPDC). The SEM and IPP software were used to characterize the morphology of Si phase in the studied alloys. The results show that the thermal exposure provokes spheroidization and coarsening of eutectic Si particles. The ultimate tensile strength of the HPDC alloy after thermal exposure is higher than that of the PMC alloy at room temperature. However, the TEPMC and TEHPDC alloys have similar tensile strength around 67 MPa at 350 °C. Due to the coarsening of eutectic Si, the TEPMC alloy exhibits better creep resistance than the TEHPDC alloy under studied creep conditions. Therefore, the alloys with small size of eutectic Si are not suitably used at 350 °C.     

Solidification behaviour,microstructure and mechanical properties of high Fe-containing Al–Si–V alloys

The paper deals with effect of Fe on the solidification behaviour and mechanical properties of unmodified and modified Al–V–Si alloys. Effect of thermo-mechanical processing on the mechanical properties of these alloys was also reported. The solidification proceeds through several invariant reactions, the first one corresponds to formation of Al₃(Fe,V,Si)-type phase. Modification with Ni–Mg master alloy changes the morphology, size and distribution of the primary as well as interdendritic phases. The modified alloys show an increase in first invariant reaction temperature and decrease in final invariant reaction temperature when compared with unmodified alloy, probably due to action of phase modification. In comparison to untreatable alloy, appreciable improvement in mechanical properties occurs on modification by Ni–Mg treatment. Hot rolling further improves the mechanical properties of the alloy.     

Effects of Cu content on microstructure and mechanical properties of rheo-diecasting Al-6Zn-2Mg-xCu alloys

A systematic study on how Cu content affects the microstructure and mechanical properties of rheo-diecasting Al-6Zn-2Mg-xCu alloys during solution treatment and ageing heat treatment was conducted. The swirled enthalpy equilibrium device (SEED) was adopted to prepare the semi-solid slurry of Al-6Zn-2Mg-xCu alloys. The microstructure development and mechanical properties were studied using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), as well as hardness and tensile testing. The grain boundary and shape factor were calculated using image processing software (Image-Pro Plus 6.0). Results show that the alloys are composed of typical globular primary α-Al grains, eutectic phases, and smaller secondary α-Al grains. After solution and ageing heat treatment, the eutectic phases are dissolved into Al matrix when the Cu content is lower than 1.5wt.%, while some eutectic phases transform into Al₂CuMg (S) phases and remain at grain boundaries when Cu content reaches 2wt.%. T6 heat treatment significantly enhances the mechanical properties of rheo-diecasting Al-6Zn-2Mg-xCu alloys. When Cu concentration is 0.5wt.%–1.5wt.%, the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and elongation of T6 treated alloys rise to around 500 MPa, 420 MPa, and 18%, respectively.

     

Microstructures and mechanical properties of in-situ TiB2/Al−xSi−0.3Mg composites

In-situ 2 vol.% TiB₂ particle reinforced Al?xSi?0.3Mg (x=7, 9, 12, 15 wt.%) composites were prepared by the salt–metal reaction, and the microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated. The results show that the TiB₂ particles with a diameter of 20–80 nm and the eutectic Si with a length of 1–10 μm are the main strengthening phases in the TiB₂/Al?xSi?0.3Mg composites. The TiB₂ particles promote grain refinement and modify the eutectic Si from needle-like to short-rod shape. However, the strengthening effect of TiB₂ particles is weakened as the Si content exceeds the eutectic composition, which can be attributed to the formation of large and irregular primary Si. The axial tensile test results and fractography observations indicate that these composites show more brittle fracture characteristics than the corresponding alloy matrixes.     

The constitutional liquation at the interface of Al/Mg friction welding joints

Constitutional liquation occurred at the friction interface of Al/Mg joints produced by continuous drive friction welding. This paper investigated the relationship between constitutional liquation and microstructure morphology of Al/Mg joints. The intermetallic compound γ-Al₁₂Mg₁₇ underwent morphological transitions from submicron-size particles to island-like lamellae, then to network structure as the Al content increased. The submicron-size γ-Al₁₂Mg₁₇ particles precipitated along the grain boundaries of α-Mg solid solution. The Mg–Al₁₂Mg₁₇ divorced eutectic structure was formed. The formation mechanism of eutectic structure was studied with Al–Mg binary phase diagram and Al–Mg–Zn ternary phase diagram. The network structure was derived from dendritic structure γ-Al₁₂Mg₁₇. Friction pressure could improve the liquid–solid hybrid microstructure morphology at the welding interface.     

Back Matter

The present work was performed on twenty-one alloys containing Al-11.5 wt% Si, with magnesium (Mg) in the range of 0.1–0.4 wt%, and copper (Cu) in the range of 1.0–3.0 wt%. Fluidity measurements and thermal analysis for each of these alloy melts were carried out. The alloys were cast in the form of tensile test bars. The test bars were solution heat treated at a temperature of ~500°C for 8h, then quenched in hot water (60°C), followed by artificial ageing at 155°C for 5 h, and then cooling in air. The effects of Mg and Cu additions on the tensile properties, depression in the Al-Si eutectic temperature, and microstructural characteristics (Si and Cu-phase particle characteristics and morphology) have been discussed in detail. The results show that the addition of Mg decreases the fluidity and the eutectic Si temperature. While addition of Cu also decreases the eutectic temperature, the fluidity, however, is increased. The presence of Mg and Cu decreases the modifying effect of Sr on the Si particles due to an increase in the solidification time, as well as the Sr, Mg, Cu interactions that occurs as a result of these additions. Mg additions in the range of 0.1–0.4 wt% increase YS (from 22% up to 94%) and UTS (from 7% up to 52%) and decrease the percent elongation (40%) depending on the Cu content of the alloy, i.e., the higher the Cu content, the lower the increase in strength. Addition of Cu has a similar effect on YS and UTS at alloy Mg levels of 0.1 wt% only, with no effect at higher Mg values, while elongation continuously decreases. The volume fraction of Al₂Cu phase increases by approximately 0.76% for every 1 wt% increase in Cu. This observation is important in the selection of the appropriate solution heat treatment regime in order to avoid incipient melting.     

Comparative evaluation of X‐ray test results with bend test results for aluminium alloy welded joints

The SiC particle reinforced aluminum alloy has been developed for various machine parts. Aluminum welded machine parts often require welded joints composed of dissimilar alloys. In the present study, electron beam weldability of dissimilar joints was investigated on different combinations of aluminum alloys of 10 mm thickness. The main alloy is 10% SiC particle reinforced Al–Si aluminum alloy. Combination wrought alloys are Al–Si, Al–Mg, Al–Mg–Si and Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloys. The electron beam machine is a 6 kW high voltage type. The joint groove is of square butt without filler metal.

In the case of SiC reinforced alloy/Al–Si and Al–Mg, joints, weldability was poor because some weld imperfections were recognized such as arcing and other defects. In the case of SiC reinforced alloy/Al–Mg–Si, Al–Zn–Mg–Cu, the cracking sensitivity is low while some small porosity was recognized. Tensile strength became about 150 MPa such as SiC reinforced alloy. Impact values of the SiC reinforced alloy/Al–Mg–Si joint were recovered through 2160 h room temperature ageing. Micro segregation of the Si element was recognized for the SiC reinforced alloy/Al–Mg–Si joint by electron probe microanalyser analysis.     

真空压铸Mg-7Al(-2Sn)合金组织性能研究及第一性原理计算

利用光学显微镜、扫描电子显微镜、能谱分析、X射线衍射、差热分析及拉伸试验比较分析了2%Sn(质量分数)对真空压铸和固溶态Mg-7Al合金的组织与力学性能的影响。结果表明,向Mg-7Al合金中添加2%Sn元素后,能够细化晶粒,抑制Mg17Al12相的生长,在组织中形成新相Mg2Sn,其以颗粒状弥散分布于基体中;固溶处理后Mg-7Al合金中第二相数目明显减少,AT72合金基体中仍存在细小颗粒状Mg2Sn。由于合金组织细化、第二相数量的增加,Mg17Al12相形貌改善以及具有良好热力学性质的Mg2Sn相的析出的综合作用,使得AT72合金表现出比Mg-7Al合金更好的室温及高温拉伸力学性能;固溶处理后的AT72合金表现出更为优异的力学性能,主要强化机制包括:固溶强化和弥散强化。此外,利用第一性原理计算从微观理论角度探讨了Sn合金化Mg-7Al合金力学性能改善的原因。     

固溶时间对Al-7Si-0.4Mg合金Si颗粒形貌和力学性能的影响

在535℃对Al-7Si-0.4Mg合金在不同保温时间下进行固溶处理,分别用OM、SEM、DSC分析研究固溶保温时间对合金中微观Si颗粒形貌、断口形貌和析出相行为以及合金力学性能的影响.结果表明,保温1h合金中的Si颗粒能实现熔断和分离,当保温时间达到3h时能获得最佳形貌的Si颗粒,此后延长保温时间则会出现过烧,恶化Si颗粒形貌.固溶保温3h的合金具有最佳的强度和塑性,表现出最优的综合力学性能,能析出稳定的强化相Mg2Si粒子,实现Si、Mg等元素的均匀化分布.     

Application of experimental design to study and control properties and behaviour of cast Al–10 ? 8Si eutectic alloy

Abstract

An attempt was made to investigate the effect of compositional variationson the mechanical properties of an experimental T6 aged Al–10·8Si eutectic alloy. Experimental data were used to evaluate the regression coefficients of polynomial equations. The equations show that increasing Cu, Mn and Mg contents results in an increase in hardness and tensile strength. Copper makes the highest contribution of all three elements to the strength for the composition range studied. All four elements reduce the elongation and toughness, with Cu having the greatest effect. Detailed analysis indicates that the interaction coefficients of these variables do not appear to contribute significantly to the mechanical properties of the alloys. The accuracy of the equations in predicting the properties has been verified by carrying out random experiments in the range of variation of these four variables.