Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cast Al-Si-Cu-Mg-Ni-Cr Alloys: Effects of Time and Temperature on Two-Stage Solution Treatment and Ageing

Materials (Basel). 2023 Mar 28;16(7):2675. doi: 10.3390/ma16072675.

Abstract

Ameliorating the high-temperature performance of cast Al-Si alloys used as engine components is essential. The effects of different T6 heat-treatment processes on the microstructure and mechanical properties of cast Al-Si-Cu-Mg-Ni-Cr alloys were investigated in the present study. The results demonstrate that, under the optimal solution treatment conditions of 500 °C for 2 h and 540 °C for 4 h, the T-Al9FeNi phase was present in the alloy, and the roundness of primary Si and the aspect ratio of eutectic Si in the alloy reached valley values of 1.46 and 2.56, respectively. With increasing ageing time at 180 °C, the tensile strength significantly improved, while the microhardness first increased and then decreased. When the ageing time was 4 h, microhardness reached a peak value of 155.82 HV. The fracture characteristics changed from quasi-cleavage to the coexistence of quasi-cleavage and dimples. After heat treatment, the high-temperature tensile properties of the alloy improved, which is a significant advantage compared to the as-cast alloy. The stable Al3Ni and Al9FeNi phases inhibited the cracking of the alloy at 350 °C.

Keywords: Al-Si alloys; ageing treatment; mechanical properties; microhardness; solution treatment.

Grants and funding

This work was supported financially by the Science and Technology Innovation Program for the High-tech Sector of Hunan Province under Grant No. 2020GK4066 and Grant No. 2022GK4027.