The effect of SI content on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Si alloy

• Al-Si alloys are the most popular casting alloys due to their excellent castability combined with high strengthto-weight ratio. This paper investigates the role of Si content in the range of 6.5 wt. % to 14.4 wt. % on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Si-Mg casting alloys. All alloys were modified with 90-150 ppm Sr. No grain refiner was added. The samples were produced by directional solidification providing a microstructure that corresponds to microstructures found in die castings. From the phase diagram and coupled zone, increasing the Si level up to 14.4 wt. % is expected to start a competition between formation of α- dendrites and a fully eutectic microstructure. However, it is known that Sr-modification shifts the eutectic to higher Si contents. For the lower Si contents, the microstructure of the samples consisted of α-dendrites and a modified Al-Si eutectic. At 12.4 wt. % Si and above, a cellular eutectic microstructure was observed. No primary Si was observed even at 14.4 wt. % Si. The mechanical properties in terms of yield and tensile strength did not vary remarkably as a function of the Si level unlike the elongation to failure that dropped from 12 % at 6.5 wt. % Si to nearly 6 % at 14.4 wt. % Si; but still the material is exhibiting an elongation to failure that is far higher than normally expected.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Materialteknik -- Metallurgi och metalliska material (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Materials Engineering -- Metallurgy and Metallic Materials (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Al-Si alloy

Fracture mechanism

Mechanical Properties

Dendritic eutectic growth

Microstructure

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)