Effect of microstructure on the mechanical properties and fracture of commercial hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy modified with Na, Sb and Sr

The microstructure, hardness, tensile properties and fracture have been studied for the non-modified and modified aluminium (Al) silicon (Si) commercial hypoeutectic alloy. Three modifiers were used being sodium (Na), antimony (Sb) and strontium (Sr). The Sb-modified structure revealed small plate-like Si morphology. The Na and Sr-modified structures exhibited fibrous Si. A slight increase in the hardness values (HV) due to modification was observed. A general increase in the tensile properties was observed due to modification. The tensile properties of the sand mould Sr-modified alloy were significantly higher than those of the Na-modified alloy by 12.7% in proof stress, 16.3% in ductility and 33.3% in toughness. For the metal mould ingots the increase in tensile properties of Sr-modified alloy were respectively: 16.7%, 32.5% and 41.7% compared to a Na-modified alloy. Optical fractography on longitudinal sections near the fracture surfaces of the modified alloys revealed that the crack propagates in the eutectic thus, circumventing the Al-dendrites. The dimple and smooth ripple patterns observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) on the fracture surface of the Na and Sr-modified alloys suggest a transgranular type of fracture across the grains of the eutectic matrix.     

Microstructure and wear characteristics of spray formed and hot extruded Al–Si alloys

Abstract

The microstructural and wear properties of spray formed Al–6.5Si, Al–18Si and Al–18Si–5Fe–1.5Cu (wt-%) alloys have been investigated. The microstructure of the Al–6.5Si alloy exhibits the equiaxed grain morphology of the primary α-Al phase with eutectic Si at the grain boundaries. The size of the primary Si particulates in the Al–18Si alloy varied from 3 to 8 μm embedded in the eutectic matrix. Complex intermetallic phases such as β-Al₅ SiFe and δAl₄ Si₂ Fe are observed to co-exist with primary Si in the spray formed Al–18Si–5Fe–1.5Cu alloy system. The periphery of the preforms invariably showed pre-solidified particles with a large amount of interstitial pores. An extrusion ratio of 6 : 1 for these alloys led to drastic porosity reduction and extensive breaking of second phase particles. These microstructural features showed distinct variation in the wear behaviour and the coefficient of friction of the alloys. The Al–18Si–5Fe–1.5Cu alloy shows better wear resistance compared with the other two alloys, particularly at higher loads. The coefficient of friction shows a dependence upon the applied load. However, this becomes steady at higher loads. The wear behaviour of these alloys is discussed in light of the morphology of debris particles as well as that of the worn surfaces.     

Effect of low voltage pulsed magnetic field on microstructure and wear behaviour of eutectic Al–Si alloys

Abstract

Effect of discharging frequency of low voltage pulsed magnetic field (LVPMF) on the morphology and size of eutectic Si in eutectic Al–Si (Al–12Si) alloys has been investigated, and some characteristic parameters the characterised the microstructure of the eutectic Si phase were obtained. Dry sliding wear behaviour of eutectic Al–Si alloys without and with LVPMF treatment were also tested using a pin-on-disc wear testing machine, and scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy X-ray of worn surfaces were carried out to determine the governing mechanisms in the eutectic Al–Si alloys without and with LVPMF treatment. The results show that the eutectic Si became smaller with the increase in discharging frequency. Fine short rod-like or rounded particle-like eutectic silicon with 2·3 μm in length, 0·6 μm in the width, and 3·8 in aspect ratio was formed in eutectic Al–Si alloy treated by 6 Hz LVPMF. The wear resistance of eutectic Al–Si alloys increased with the increase in discharging frequency. The adhesive wear was observed in eutectic Al–Si alloy without LVPMF treatment under normal load of 80 N. However, mainly abrasive was observed in eutectic Al–Si alloy with 6 Hz LVPMF treatment.     

Aligned Co-Co2 Si eutectics

The addition of W, Ta, or Al to Co-rich Co-Si alloys suppresses the formation of Co₃Si and produces stable eutectics between the Co₂Si and the Co-rich solid-solution phase. The Co-Si-W and Co-Si-Ta alloys solidified as three-phase eutectics. The Co-Si-Al alloy solidified as a two-phase eutectic, but a third phase precipitated on cooling. Interesting morphological changes were produced by epitaxial precipitation of Co₂Si from solid solution during cooling.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Si cast alloy with additions of Zr–V–Ti

The microstructure and tensile properties at temperatures up to 300 °C of an experimental Al–7Si–1Cu–0.5Mg (wt.%) cast alloy with additions of Ti, V and Zr were assessed and compared with those of the commercial A380 grade. The microstructure of both alloys consisted of Al dendrites surrounded by Al–Si eutectic containing, within its structure, the ternary Al–Al₂Cu–Si phase. Whereas the Al₁₅(FeCrMn)₃Si₂ phases were present in the A380 alloy, Ti/Zr/V together with Al and Si phases, Al(ZrTiV)Si, were identified in the experimental alloy. As a result of chemistry modification the experimental alloy achieved from 20% to 40% higher strength and from 1.5 to 5 times higher ductility than the A380 reference grade. The role of chemistry in improving the alloy thermal stability is discussed.     

Low‐cycle fatigue behavior of a newly developed cast aluminum alloy for automotive applications

The drive for increasing fuel efficiency and decreasing anthropogenic greenhouse effect via lightweighting leads to the development of several new Al alloys. The effect of Mn and Fe addition on the microstructure of Al‐Mg‐Si alloy in as‐cast condition was investigated. The mechanical properties including strain‐controlled low‐cycle fatigue characteristics were evaluated. The microstructure of the as‐cast alloy consisted of globular primary α‐Al phase and characteristic Mg₂Si‐containing eutectic structure, along with Al₈(Fe,Mn)₂Si particles randomly distributed in the matrix. Relative to several commercial alloys including A319 cast alloy, the present alloy exhibited superior tensile properties without trade‐off in elongation and improved fatigue life due to the unique microstructure with fine grains and random textures. The as‐cast alloy possessed yield stress, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation of about 185 MPa, 304 MPa, and 6.3%, respectively. The stress‐strain hysteresis loops were symmetrical and approximately followed Masing behavior. The fatigue life of the as‐cast alloy was attained to be higher than that of several commercial cast and wrought Al alloys. Cyclic hardening occurred at higher strain amplitudes from 0.3% to 0.8%, while cyclic stabilization sustained at lower strain amplitudes of ≤0.2%. Examination of fractured surfaces revealed that fatigue crack initiated from the specimen surface/near‐surface, and crack propagation occurred mainly in the formation of fatigue striations.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Si–Mg–Cu–Ti alloy with trace amounts of scandium

The effect of Sc on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Si–Mg–Cu–Ti alloy was investigated. Results obtained in this research indicate that, with increasing Sc content, the microstructure of the investigated alloys exhibits finer equiaxed dendrites with rounded edges and the morphology of the eutectic Si shows a complete transition from a coarse needle-like structure to a fine fibrous structure upon modification of eutectic Si. Subsequent T6 heat treatment had further induced the precipitation of nano-scaled secondary Al₃(Sc, Ti) phase, as well as spheroidisation of eutectic Si. Combined with T6 heat treatment, the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, percentage elongation and hardness were achieved in 0.20?wt-% Sc-modified alloy.     

Effect of addition of Al-Si eutectic alloy on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-12wt%Li alloy

Mg-12Li, Mg-12Li-3(Al-Si), Mg-12Li-7(Al-Si) and Mg-12Li-9(Al-Si) alloys (all in wt%) were fabricated by high frequency vacuum induction melting in a water cooled copper crucible. After subsequently hot-rolling and annealing, their microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. Experimental results show that mechanical properties of Mg-12Li alloy were significantly improved by the addition of Al-Si eutectic alloy. Mg-12Li-7(Al-Si) alloy shows the highest strength of 196 MPa of the investigated alloys, which is about 1.8 times of the strength of Mg-12Li alloy, and maintains high elongation of 27%. The improved mechanical property with addition of Al and Si in the eutectic proportion into Mg-12Li alloy was attributed to the solution strengthening effect of Al and precipitation hardening effect from AlLi and Mg₂Si precipitates.     

Structure factors of modified liquid Al–Si alloys

The structure factor and the coordination numbers of liquid Al–Si alloys with different Si content have been measured by a high temperature X-ray diffractometer. Radial distribution functions (RDFs), the nearest atomic distance and the coordination numbers of eutectic Al–Si alloys before and after being modified with Sr and Sb were studied. The RDFs of the liquid alloy were decomposed by five Gaussian peaks. The results show that a Si–Si covalent bond exists in the liquid of eutectic and hyper-eutectic alloys. Sr in the liquid Al–Si has a capability to weaken the covalent bonds of Si–Si, suppressing the nucleation of the eutectic silicon phase. On the other hand, Sb in the liquid Al–Si increases the order degree of Si atoms, decreasing the supercooling degree of the nucleation and promoting the nucleation of eutectic silicon.     

Structure factors of modified liquid Al–Si alloys

The structure factor and the coordination numbers of liquid Al–Si alloys with different Si content have been measured by a high temperature X-ray diffractometer. Radial distribution functions (RDFs), the nearest atomic distance and the coordination numbers of eutectic Al–Si alloys before and after being modified with Sr and Sb were studied. The RDFs of the liquid alloy were decomposed by five Gaussian peaks. The results show that a Si–Si covalent bond exists in the liquid of eutectic and hyper-eutectic alloys. Sr in the liquid Al–Si has a capability to weaken the covalent bonds of Si–Si, suppressing the nucleation of the eutectic silicon phase. On the other hand, Sb in the liquid Al–Si increases the order degree of Si atoms, decreasing the supercooling degree of the nucleation and promoting the nucleation of eutectic silicon.     

Microstructural changes induced by ternary additions in a hypo-eutectic titanium-silicon alloy

Hypo-eutectic Ti-6.5 wt % Si alloy modified by separate additions of misch metal and low surface tension elements (Na, Sr, Se and Bi) has been examined by microscopic study and thermal analysis. Addition of third element led to modification of microstructure with apparently no significant enhancement of tensile ductility, with the exception of bismuth. Bismuth enhanced the ductility of the alloy by a factor of two and elastic-plastic fracture toughness to 9 MPa m^–1/2 from a value of almost zero. The improved ductility of bismuth modified alloy is attributed to the reduced interconnectivity of the eutectic suicide, absence of significant suicide precipitation in the eutectic region and increase in the volume fraction of uniformly distributed dendrites. These changes are accompanied by a decrease in the temperature of eutectic solidification.     

Microstructure Control and Performance Evolution of Hypereutectic Al–20Mg2Si Alloy by Novel Al–Ca–Sb Masteralloy

Herein, the microstructure control and performance evolution of hypereutectic Al–20Mg₂Si alloy with the addition of novel Al–3.3Ca–10Sb master alloy are investigated. It is found that AlCa₁₁Sb₉ and CaSb₂ compounds are successfully synthesized through in situ melt reaction of masteralloy. With 0.45 wt% Al–3.3Ca–10Sb master alloy addition, primary Mg₂Si particles in hypereutectic Al–20Mg₂Si alloy are significantly refined from more than 150 μm to 10.7 μm, which are accompanied with the 3D morphologies changing from dendrites to octahedrons. After heat treatment, Brinell hardnesses of Al–20Mg₂Si alloys are remarkably improved to 112 HB. Furthermore, it is also found that the cooling rate of Al–3.3Ca–10Sb master alloys has certain influence on the refinement effect of Al–Mg₂Si alloys. The excellent complex modification of this master alloy on Al–20Mg₂Si alloy can be attributed to the existence of CaSb₂ particles as the heterogeneous nucleation sites of Mg₂Si particles and the inhibiting growth effect of residual Ca atoms adsorbed on the surface of Mg₂Si phase.     

Eutectic reaction and microstructural characteristics of Al (Li)-Mg2Si alloys

Thermal analysis, directional solidification and metallographic techniques were applied to investigate the pseudobinary eutectic reaction process and the microstructural characteristics of Al(Li)-Mg₂Si alloys. It was demonstrated that the eutectic reaction curve for L Al(Li) + Mg₂Si in the Al(Li)-Mg-Si system moves to the Al-rich corner with the increase of Li additions. The pseudobinary eutectic point with the highest melting temperature and null temperature range of solidification ( T) and the ternary eutectic point for L Al(Li) + Mg₂Si + Si all move towards the Si-rich direction. Li additions widen the range of yielding binary eutectic of Al(Li)-Mg₂Si and depress the appearing of ternary eutectic efficiently. Al(Li)-Mg₂Si eutectic alloys have the best aligned structure when the directional solidification occurs with a T = 0. The Mg₂Si phase has a diversity of morphologies such as rod-like, crossed and rooftop-like. These various morphologies has the same preferred growth direction, i.e. [100].     

Effect of nickel on the microstructure and mechanical property of die-cast Al–Mg–Si–Mn alloy

The effect of nickel on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a die-cast Al–Mg–Si–Mn alloy has been investigated. The results show that the presence of Ni in the alloy promotes the formation of Ni-rich intermetallics. These occur consistently during solidification in the die-cast Al–Mg–Si–Mn alloy across different levels of Ni content. The Ni-rich intermetallics exhibit dendritic morphology during the primary solidification and lamellar morphology during the eutectic solidification stage. Ni was found to be always associated with iron forming AlFeMnSiNi intermetallics, and no Al₃Ni intermetallic was observed when Ni concentrations were up to 2.06 wt% in the alloy. Although with different morphologies, the Ni-rich intermetallics were identified as the same AlFeMnSiNi phase bearing a typical composition of Al_[100–140](Fe,Mn)_[2–7]SiNi_[4–9]. With increasing Ni content, the spacing of the α-Al–Mg₂Si eutectic phase was enlarged in the Al–Mg–Si–Mn alloy. The addition of Ni to the alloy resulted in a slight increase in the yield strength, but a significant decrease in the elongation. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increased slightly from 300 to 320 MPa when a small amount (e.g. 0.16 wt%) of Ni was added to the alloy, but further increase of the Ni content resulted in a decrease of the UTS.     

Effect of Si content on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Si–Mg alloys

Microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast and as-extruded Al–Si–Mg alloys with different Si content are investigated by tensile test, microstructure observation. High density of Si particles in the Al alloys can induce dynamic recrystallization during hot extrusion and it becomes more matured with an increase in the density of Si particles. The tensile strength of as-cast and as-extruded alloys can be improved with the increase of Si content and hot extrusion make the elongation of alloys increase dramatically. Considerable grain refining effect caused by recrystallization occurred during hot extrusion of S2 (equivalently commercial A356 alloy) and S3 (near eutectic alloy) alloys plays an important role in the improvement of elongation. A good combination of strength and elongation for the as-extruded S3 alloy indicates that near eutectic Al–Si alloys can be hot-extruded to produce aluminum profiles with high performance.     

In situ TiB2 particulate reinforced near eutectic Al–Si alloy composites

In situ TiB₂ particulate reinforced near eutectic Al–Si alloy composites fabricated by the melt reaction composing (MRC) methods have been investigated. It has been shown that minute TiB₂ particles (less than 1 μm) uniformly distribute in the eutectic structure and they are interlaced with the coralline-like eutectic Si, while there are very few TiB₂ particles in α-Al. It has been also shown that in situ TiB₂ particles can enhance the tensile strength of the Al–Si alloy matrix. The strengthening effect increases with increasing TiB₂ content. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) at room temperature of as-cast 6%TiB₂/Al–Si–Mg composite is 296 MPa, that is a 14.7% increase over the matrix, and its elongation at fracture is 5.5%. After heat-treatment (T6), the UTS of the composites reaches 384 MPa. The strengthening mechanism has been discussed.     

(NaPO3)n对过共晶Al-Si合金初晶硅细化的研究

研究了 (Na PO3) n 对 Al- 2 2 % Si过共晶合金初晶硅的晶粒细化作用。结果表明 ,(Na PO3) n对初晶硅的细化效果优于 Cu P,同时 (Na PO3) n 具有共晶硅变质的作用。采用 (Na PO3) n 处理的 Al- 2 2 % Si- 1.0 % Cu- 0 .5 % Mg- 0 .5 % Mn合金的平均抗拉强度可达 2 73MPa。以扫描电镜、电子探针为检测手段研究了 P元素对过共晶 Al- Si合金的 Si晶体的影响。结果表明 ,一方面 Al P作为异质核心细化初晶硅 ,另一方面 ,有 Na同时存在时 ,P的扩散受阻 ,P元素在 Si相生长表面富集 ,阻碍了 Si相生长 ,细化了初晶硅。     

Impact toughness of Al–Si–Cu–Mg–Fe cast alloys: Effects of minor additives and aging conditions

The effects of Sr modification and aging treatment on the impact toughness of a near eutectic Al–11%Si–2.7%Cu–0.3%Mg–0.45%Fe alloy were investigated. Charpy impact tests were performed on unnotched specimens in the as-cast and heat-treated conditions. It was found that the presence of Fe- and Cu-containing phases increases the alloy brittleness which reduces impact toughness. The eutectic Si phase also plays an important role, where the size/morphology of the Si particles controls the area of α-Al matrix available which affects ductility and toughness. Increasing the Mn content leads to an increase in the volume fraction of the α-Al₁₅(Mn,Fe)₃Si₂ phase formed and to sludge formation, which facilitates crack initiation and propagation. Crack propagation occurs mainly via the Al₂Cu and/or α-Al₁₅(Fe,Mn)₃Si₂ phases. In the non-modified alloys, the Si phase also plays a considerable role in the fracture process. The impact behaviour of aged alloys is influenced by the amount, size and morphology of hardening precipitates formed in the alloy, depending on the aging conditions. Aging at 240 °C produces a significant increase in the impact energy values of the low Mn-content alloys, as a result of alloy softening. The high Mn-content alloys also show a similar increase in impact energy values, but at a steady level across the same range of aging times, due to the persistence of the α-Al₁₅(Mn,Fe)₃Si₂ phase.     

Refining Effect of Boron on Hypoeutectic Al-Si Alloys

1. IlltroductionRefining treatmellt on hypoeutectic Al-St alloys isinevitably carried out because of the coarse dendriticgrain of a-Al. The grain refiner commonly used in theAl industry are nowadays usually master alloys of Tiplus B. It was Cibula in 194911], who clearly idelltiliedthe effectiveness of B in grain refining. The Chinesepublication first reported that Al-B master alloys isa powerful refiner better than Al-Ti or Al--Ti-B majster alloys[2]. Extensive theoretical and experime…     

Kinetics of granulation of discontinuous phase in eutectic structures

Abstract

Useful properties of eutectic alloys have been found to relate to the presence of granulated discontinuous phase, and its formation is encouraged during solidification; although difficulties are encountered in some alloy systems. In the present paper it is suggested that discontinuous phase granulation can be achieved through either solidification processing or heat treatment. The kinetics of granulation during heat treatment and the factors affecting it have been analysed and examined for eutectic silicon in Al–Si alloys and for graphite in cast irons during heat treatment, using the techniques of high-temperature and quantitative metallography. The concept of combined control of the size and morphology of the discontinuous phase through solidification and heat treatment was developed.

MST/254