Effect of heat treatments on mechanical properties and fracture behavior of a thixocast A356 aluminum alloy

The effect of different heat treatments (T5 and T6) on mechanical properties, fracture behavior and damage evolution of A356 Thixocast aluminum alloy have been examined in detail in the present work. Tensile tests of the material have been performed in the as cast and as treated conditions in order to observe the different fracture behavior in consequence of the heat treatments. Optical and scanning electron microscopy techniques have been used to characterize the microstructure and fracture surfaces of the specimens. Finally, the precipitation processes of the material have been analyzed by hardness and electrical conductivity measurements and EDS analysis has been used to characterize the different phases in the as-thixo and as-treated conditions.