Effect of Mg and Cu additions on the microstructural characteristics and tensile properties of Sr-modified Al-Si eutectic alloys

Abstract

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.