In the present study, the statistical design of experiments (DOE) method was applied to study and control the properties of near-eutectic Al-11%Si alloys. In this study, we developed regression equations between response variables, including hardness, yield stress, ultimate tensile stress, elongation, total cutting force, cutting power, and tool life, and varying factors which included the percentage of the alloying element in the composition and the modification level. These equations may be analyzed quantitatively to acquire an understating of the effects of the main variables and their interactions on the mechanical behavior and the machinability of the alloy under investigation. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to verify the fit and adequacy of the developed mathematical models. The results show that increasing the levels of Cu and Fe results in an increase in hardness, yield stress and ultimate tensile strength in both modified and non-modified alloys. On the other hand, both Cu and Fe appear to affect the elongation adversely, whereas the Sr level shows a positive effect on the elongation percentage. We found that the Sr level had the most significant effect on the cutting forces and cutting power, followed by Fe and Cu contents.
Keywords: ANOVA; Al-Si alloys; DOE; alloying elements; machinability; mechanical properties.