Microstructural evaluation and tensile properties of Cd-added Al-15Mg₂Si-3Cu composite

Abstract

Current research was undertaken to investigate the effect of different Cd contents (0–0.5 wt.%) on the microstructure and tensile behaviour of in situ Al–15 wt.%Mg₂Si–3 wt.%Cu metal matrix composite. In this work, microstructural assessment was carried out by a scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive spectrometer analysis. A universal testing machine was used for determining ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation (El.%) values. The results showed no influence on the size and morphology of primary Mg₂Si, but it changes the morphology of eutectic Mg₂Si from flake-like to very short fibrous or dot-like shape. The addition of 0.05 wt.%Cd improved UTS values from 216.5 to 272.1 MPa and elongation values from 3% to about 5.6%. The examination of fractured surfaces of Cd-added specimens revealed that the fracture mechanism alters from brittle to ductile.

Keywords:

• Microstructure
• tensile properties
• Cd
• Al–15Mg₂Si–3Cu
• composite