Effect of strontium on crystallization of Mg2Si phase in Al—Si—Mg casting alloys

Otical microscope and SEM were used to observe the changes of the microstructure of Al-11.6%Si-0.4% Mg alloys with varying strontium additions and the effect of strontium on the crystallization of Mg2Si phase was discussed.It is found that Mg2Si phase nucleastes on the the surfaces of the eutectic silicon flakes in the unfully modified alloys,growing as meshwork or bamboo-shoot shape,however,very few and fine Mg2Si particles phase are isolated at the boundaries of the eurectic cells in the fully modified alloys.Strontium has an important influence on the crystallization of Mg2Si phase in the Al-Si-Mg casting alloys and it is thought to be related to the increase of the amunt of dendritic αphase and the modifying degree of eutectic silicon phase.     

高强度Al—Mg—Si合金

据美国专利6994 760 B2报道，德国柯鲁斯集团（Corus Group）科布仑茨轧制厂（Corus aluminium walzpmdukte GmbH，Koblenz）发明一种高强度Al—Mg-Si合金，其特点是中间金属化合物的含量低，因而既有高的强度又有良好的疲劳性能，其主要成分（质量分数／％）：Si0．75，Cu0．6，Mn0．2，Mg0．45，Fe0．01，其他杂量痕量。铸锭在均匀化处理后，于530℃～560℃加热（4～30）h后热轧。     

Effects of fluidised bed quenching on heat treating characteristics of cast Al–Si–Mg and Al–Si–Mg–Cu alloys

Abstract

The quench sensitivity of Al–Si–Mg (D357 unmodified and Sr modified), and Al–Si–Mg–-Cu (354 and 319 Sr modified) cast alloys was investigated using a fluidised bed (FB). The average cooling rate of castings in the fluidised bed is lower than those quenched in water; the cooling rate first increases to a certain maximum and then decreases during quenching. The change in the cooling rate during quenching in water was more drastic, where the cooling rate varied from 0 to ?80 K s^?1 in less than 8 s, as compared with those quenched in FB, where the cooling rate varied from 0 to ?14 K s^?1 in 18 s. The FB quenching resulted in the formation of several metastable phases in Al–Si–Mg–Cu alloys; in contrast, no such transformation was observed during water quenching. The T4 yield strength of the FB quenched alloys was greater than water quenched alloys owing to the formation of a greater volume fraction of metastable phases in the FB quenched alloys. The tensile properties of T6 treated alloys show that Al–Si–Mg alloys (both unmodified and Sr modified) are more quench sensitive than Al–Si–Mg–Cu alloys. The high quench sensitivity of the Al–Si–Mg alloys is because GP zones are not formed, whereas GP zones are formed during quenching of the Al–Si–Mg–Cu alloys as predicted by time temperature transformation and continuous cooling transformation) diagrams.     

Modelling of the age hardening behaviour of Al–Mg–Si alloys

In the present investigation a special control volume formulation of the classical precipitation model for coupled nucleation, growth and coarsening has been adopted to describe the evolution of the particle size distribution with time during thermal processing of Al–Mg–Si alloys. The analysis includes both isothermal and non-isothermal transformation behaviour. Well established dislocation theory is then used to evaluate the resulting change in hardness or yield strength at room temperature, based on a consideration of the intrinsic resistance to dislocation motion due to solute atoms and particles, respectively following heat treatment. The model is validated by comparison with experimental microstructure data obtained from transmission electron microscope examinations and hardness measurements, covering a broad range in the experimental conditions. It is concluded that the model is sufficiently relevant and comprehensive to be used as a tool for predicting the response of Al–Mg–Si alloys to thermal processing, and some examples are given towards the end.     

A comparative study on corrosion of Mg–Al–Si alloys

Corrosion behavior of various Mg–Al–Si alloys (AS11, AS21, AS41, AS61 and AS91 series), cast under the same cooling conditions and controlled alloying composition, was investigated systematically. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used for microstructural examinations. The corrosion behavior was evaluated by immersion tests and potentiodynamic polarization measurements in 3.5% NaCl solution. The results from both immersion tests and the potentiodynamic polarization measurements showed that marginal improvement in corrosion resistance was observed with 2.0% Al (mass fraction) containing alloy (AS21) whereas Al addition above 2.0% (AS41, AS61 and AS91) deteriorated the corrosion resistance which was attributed to β phase, acting as cathode, and the interruption of continuity of the oxide film on the surface of the alloys owing to coarsened β and Mg₂Si phases.     

Wetting of porous titanium carbonitride by Al–Mg–Si alloys

Wetting of porous TiC_0.17N_0.83 by six alloys from the Al–Mg–Si system (pure Al, pure Mg, Al–15 at.% Mg, Al–10 at.% Si, Mg–5 at.% Si, and Al–10 at.% Mg–10 at.% Si) in an argon atmosphere was studied using the sessile drop experiment. The contact angle of the liquid drops on TiC_0.17N_0.83 substrates was measured as a function of temperature. Aluminium, Al–10 at.% Si, and Al–10 at.% Mg–10 at.% Si did not wet TiC_0.17N_0.83 in the studied temperature range. Magnesium always wetted TiC_0.17N_0.83 with a minimum contact angle of ≈44° at 900°C, and alloying with Mg significantly lowered the contact angle of Al on TiCN. Alloying with Si deteriorated the wetting of TiCN by Mg. A comparative study between the systems was conducted, based on the results and on data available in the literature. The improvement of the wetting of TiCN by Al due to alloying with Mg can be explained by the segregation of Mg to the interface with TiCN, where it lowers the interface energy. The addition of Si to pure Mg or to Al–Mg results in an increase in the contact angle on TiCN.     

Influence of interrupted quenching on artificial aging of Al–Mg–Si alloys

In this study the influence of interrupted quenching (IQ) in the temperature range 150–250 °C for periods of 15–1080 s on artificial aging after long-term natural pre-aging was studied for the Al–Mg–Si alloy AA6061 by atom probe tomography, transmission electron microscopy, electrical resistivity and hardness measurements, and differential scanning calorimetry. Compared with a standard quenching procedure, the results showed that hardening kinetics and the age hardening response were enhanced for IQ at low temperatures but reduced at high temperatures. Quenched-in vacancies were shown to be of particular importance for the nucleation of precipitates occurring during IQ at the lower end of the temperature range, finally leading to the formation of a dense distribution of β″ during artificial aging. For standard water quenching and subsequent natural aging, nucleation is hindered by a low concentration of quenched-in vacancies in the matrix. IQ at high temperatures affects subsequent artificial aging via the formation of precipitates which do not contribute to hardening but consume a significant amount of solute.     

Fatigue Behavior of Dissimilar Al–Mg–Si/Al–Zn–Mg Aluminum Alloys Friction Stir Welding Joints

In this study, fatigue properties and fracture mechanism of dissimilar Al–Mg–Si/Al–Zn–Mg aluminum alloys friction stir welding(FSW) joints were investigated and the effect of the sheet configuration on the fatigue behavior of the FSW joints was also discussed. Results showed that the joints owned better fatigue properties when the Al–Zn–Mg aluminum alloy was placed at the advancing side(AS). At 10~7 cycles, the fatigue strengths of Al–Zn–Mg–AS and Al–Mg–Si–AS joints were, respectively, 105.6 and 90.1 MPa. All joints fractured at the heat-affected zone at the Al–Mg–Si alloy side. Transmission electron microscopy results showed that better fatigue property of the Al–Zn–Mg–AS joint was associated with the bridging effect of the bigger secondary phase particles.     

超声波对原位Mg2Si/Al复合材料中初生Mg2Si形态的影响

采用光学显微镜和场发射扫描电镜,研究超声波对原位 Mg2Si/Al 复合材料中初生 Mg2Si 形态的影响。研究结果表明：超声波处理使初生Mg2Si的晶粒尺寸从150μm降低到20μm,初生Mg2Si形态发生改变。在二维形貌中,未实施超声波振动处理的初生Mg2Si晶粒生长为含有空腔的粗大颗粒,共晶组织生长于其中,相应的三维形态为含有漏斗状空腔的八面体和十四面体。超声波处理后的初生Mg2Si晶粒变成细小、实心三维形态的颗粒,颗粒棱角已发生钝化效应。     

Effects of magnesium content on dual beam Nd : YAG laser welding of Al – Mg alloys

Abstract

The effects of Mg content on the weldability of aluminium alloy sheet using the dual-beam Nd:YAG laser welding process have been studied by making bead-on-plate welds on 1.6 mm thick AA 1100, AA 5754 (3.2 wt-%Mg) and AA 5182 (4.6 wt-%Mg) alloy sheets. Whereas all full-penetration laser welds made in 1100 aluminium were of excellent quality,many of the welds produced in the aluminium–magnesium alloys exhibited rough, spiky underbead surfaces with drop-through and undercut. A limited range of process variables was found, however, that allowed welds with acceptable weld bead quality to be produced in the 5754 and the 5182 alloy sheet. Goodwelds were only produced in these alloys if the lead/lag laser beam power ratio was ≥1. Weld penetration and the maximum welding speed allowing full penetration keyhole-mode welding were observed to increase with Mg content. This was attributed to the effect of Mg on the vapour pressure within the keyhole and the surface tension of the Al–Mg alloys. Significant occluded vapour porosity was seen in the 5754 and 5182 alloy welds with borderline penetration; however, there was no evidence of porosity in the acceptable full-penetration welds with smooth underbead surfaces. Hardness profiles in the 5754 and 5182 welds showed a gradual increase in hardness from the base metal values through the heat affected zone (HAZ) to a peak in hardness in the weld metal adjacent the fusion boundary. It is possible that this increase in hardness may be the result of the presence of Mg₂Al₃ or metastable Mg₂Al₃′ precipitates in this region of the weld and HAZ.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir processed Al−Mg2Si alloys

The microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir processed Al−Mg₂Si alloys were studied by TEM and EBSD. The results showed that an increase in the tool rotation speed (300−700 r/min) led to a decrease in the defect area (from 10.5 mm² to zero), whereas the defect area demonstrated the opposite trend (increased to 1.5 mm² from zero) upon further increasing the rotation speed (700−1200 r/min). The types of defects were transformed from tunnel defects to fusion defects as the rotational speed increased. The coarse Mg₂Si dendrites were broken and fine particles (smaller than 10 μm) formed in the weld nugget (WN). The amount of low-angle grain boundaries increased significantly from 57.7% to 83.6%, which was caused by an increase in the content of the deformed structure (from 1.7% to 13.6%). The hardness, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation were all greatly improved for the weld nugget. The hardness values of the WNs had the following order: R300<R1200<R500<R900<R700. The UTS and elongation had the following order: BM (base material)<R300<R1200<R500<R900<R700. The UTS and the elongation for the WN were increased by one and three times, respectively.     

Thermodynamic evaluation of hypereutectic Al–Si (A390) alloy with addition of Mg

This paper presents the thermodynamic evaluation of A390 hypereutectic Al–Si alloy (Al–17% Si–4.5% Cu–0.5% Mg) and alloys up to 10% Mg, using the Factsage® software. Two critical compositions were detected at 4.2% and 7.2% Mg where the temperatures of the liquidus, the start of the binary and of the ternary eutectic reaction are changed. These critical compositions show differences in the formation of Mg₂Si intermetallic particles during the solidification interval. For compositions up to 4.2% Mg, the Mg₂Si intermetallic phase first appears in the ternary eutectic zone. With Mg contents between 4.2% and 7.2%, Mg₂Si particle appears in both the binary and ternary eutectic reactions. Above 7.2% Mg, it solidifies as a primary phase and also during the binary and ternary reactions. The calculated liquid fraction vs. temperature curves also showed a decrease of the eutectic formation temperature (knee point temperature) with the addition of Mg content up to 4.2% Mg. This temperature becomes almost constant up to 10% Mg. The calculation of eutectic formation temperature shows a good agreement with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests.     

Strengthening mechanisms of MgSi alloys

The origins of high room temperature strength of rapidly solidified () Mg-high Si alloys have been analysed using various strengthening mechanism models. The analysis revealed that the high strength was attributed to the fine-grain strengthening mechanism as well as the strengthening mechanisms due to Mg₂Si particles. A large contribution of the fine-grain strengthening mechanism results from the strong dependence of strength on grain size for h.c.p. metals. However, the strength of the alloys containing small particles (?1 μm) rapidly decreased at 473 K. This is explained by the critical particle size concept.     

关于Al—Mg—Si合金韧性的改进

经高温时效硬化的铝合金,沿其晶界形成无析出区(AFS)。无析出区的宽度主要取决于:固溶处理后的冷却速度;合金化元素;晶界类型。在Al—Mg—Si合金中,晶间断裂表面的比率随冷却速度的下降而明显提高,因此,无析出区增宽1)2)。伸长率和缺口韧性下降。总的来说,材料变得更脆了。生产含0.5%Si的Al—Mg—Si合金通常不水淬,因为,冷却速度低时,强度下降很少3)。这些材料还有脆裂的危险。本研究工作是为了进一步掌握这些合金的机械性能,以便确定     

铸造Al8Si0.4Mg合金时效行为研究

利用硬度测定、差热扫描量热分析 (DSC)、电子探针微区成分分析和透射电子显微分析 (TEM)技术研究了铸造Al8Si0 .4Mg合金的铸态时效及固溶淬火时效 (T6)行为。硬度测定结果表明 :Al8Si0 .4Mg合金具有明显的铸态时效硬化效果 ,其铸态时效峰值硬度仅比T6状态硬度值低 6HV。冷却速度对合金时效没有明显的影响。DSC和TEM分析结果表明 :两种时效状态下合金的时效硬化均是过渡相 β″和 β′相析出对基体的强化。对合金在两种时效状态下析出相的分布及硬度均匀化系数进行了分析讨论     

Mechanical properties and microstructures of hybrid laser MIG welded dissimilar Mg–Al–Zn alloys

Abstract

Bead shape, microstructure changes and mechanical properties of laser metal inert gas (MIG) welded dissimilar Mg–Al–Zn alloys (from AZ31B to AZ61) are studied. The results show that heat ratio of arc to laser (HRAL) and welding speed are dominant parameters for achieving good tensile strength efficiency and elongation property. From AZ31B to AZ61, microstructure changes are observed as cellular dendrites to equiaxed dendrites and fish bone dendrites in the upper part of hybrid weld. Besides, at weld centreline, the solidification structure of lower part is finer than that of upper part. In this study, the maximum tensile strength efficiency and elongation reached 97·6 and 7% respectively. When the HRAL matches welding speed well, the joint achieves higher tensile strength with 45° shearing fracture at heat affected zone because of fewer defects. However, when utilising too low HRAL or fast welding speed, the joints show lower tensile strengths with nearly vertical fracture at fusion zone.     

Modelling of microsegregation in ternary alloys: Application to the solidification of Al–Mg–Si

A fast numerical model has been developed for the quantitative prediction of microsegregation during solidification of ternary alloys. Considering a small volume of uniform temperature, the back-diffusion equations in the primary solid phase are solved in a 1-dimensional configuration using an implicit finite difference formulation with a Landau transformation onto a fixed [0,1] interval. The other phases which may precipitate during solidification are supposed to be stoichiometric and at equilibrium while the liquid is in a state of complete mixing. These calculations are coupled with phase diagram data through the use of mapping files: the liquidus surface, the monovariant lines and all the pertaining information are mapped through calls to Thermo-Calc [B. Sundman, B. Jansson and J. O. Andersson, CALPHAD, 9, 153 (1985)], prior to starting the microsegregation calculation itself. This very efficient microsegregation model can thus be coupled directly to macrosegregation computations performed at the scale of a whole casting: from the average enthalpy and concentrations variations computed at each mesh point of a casting during one time step, this microsegregation model is capable of predicting the variations of temperature, of the volume fractions of the various phases, of the liquid concentrations and of the average density. The efficiency of this coupling between microsegregation calculation and thermodynamic mapping files is demonstrated in the particular case of the Al–Mg–Si system.     

High-Temperature Oxidation of Al–Mg Alloys

The effect of the atmosphere on the oxidation rates of aluminum-can alloyswas studied using thermogravimetric methods. The atmospheres included: air,Ar+1%O₂, Ar+5%O₂, and CO₂. Temperaturesranged from 450 to 800°C. The oxidation rate was influenced by thesurface condition and by the time elapsed after specimen preparation. Increasingtemperature increased the oxidation rate of both AA 3004 and 5182. Parabolickinetics were observed for AA 3004 and linear kinetics were observed forAA 5182 at 450 and 500°C. From 550 to 800°C, parabolic behavior wasobserved for AA 5182. The reduction of free oxygen in the atmosphere reducedthe rate of oxidation. The reactivity of the atmospheres decreased in thefollowing sequence: air, Ar+5%O₂, Ar+1%O₂, and CO₂.