Effect of Thermal Treatment (T5) on Microstructure and Tensile Properties of Vacuum High Pressure Die Cast Al–Si–Mg Alloy

  • 1634 Accesses

Part of the The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series book series (MMMS)

Abstract

In this work, a modified Al–Si–Mg (A356) alloy was prepared by vacuum-assisted high pressure die casting processes (V-HPDC). To release residual stresses, various thermal treatment schemes over a wide range of temperatures between 120 and 350 °C were experimented to the as-cast V-HPDC alloy, in an effort of understanding the effect of thermal treatment on tensile properties of V-HPDC modified Al–Si–Mg (A356) alloy. The morphology of eutectic silicon has a sound effect on the tensile properties of the tested alloy. The content of magnesium-based intermetallic phase, their morphology, and distribution throughout the matrix affect the tensile properties as well. The reduction in the strengths of the alloy treated at 350 °C for two hours should be at least attributed partly to the absence of the magnesium-based intermetallic phase. However, the presence of sufficient amount of magnesium intermetallic phase plays an important role in strengthening the alloy thermally treated at 200 °C.

Keywords

  • Aluminum alloy
  • Heat treatment
  • Vacuum
  • High pressure die casting

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

References

  1. H. Kaufmann and P.J. Uggowitzer, Metallurgy and Processing of High-Integrity Light Metal Pressure Castings, Schiele & Schon, Berlin, Germany, 2007.Google Scholar 
  2. R.N. Lumley, I.J. Polmear, H. Groot and J. Ferrier, Scripta Materialia, Vol 58 (2008), p. 1006.Google Scholar 
  3. L.Sulley, Die Casting, Metals Handbook-Casting, 9th ed., edited by D. Stefanescu, Vol 15, ASM International, Materials Park, OH, (1988), p. 286.Google Scholar 
  4. X. Niu, B. Hu, I. Pinwill, H. Li, J. Materials Processing Technology, Vol 105 (2000), p. 119.Google Scholar 
  5. W. Schneider, F.J. Feikus, “Heat treatment of aluminum alloys casting for vacuum die casting”, Light Metal Age (1998), p. 22.Google Scholar 
  6. H. Hu, A.S. Spadafora, R.F. Turchi, A.T. Alpas, “Solution treatment and artificial aging of vacuum die cast alloy A380”, Light Metals, edited by T. Lewis, Montreal, Canada, CIM, (2002), p. 475.Google Scholar 
  7. R.N. Lumley, I.J. Polymer, and P.R. Curtis, Metallurgical and Materials Transactions. A, Vol.40A (2009), p. 1716.Google Scholar 
  8. G. Timelli, O. Lohne, L. Arnberg, H. I. Laukli, “Effect of solution heat treatments on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a die-cast AlSi7Mg Alloy”, Metallurgical and Materials Transactions. A, Vol.39A (2008), p. 1747.CrossRef CAS Google Scholar 
  9. NADCA Products Specifications for Die Castings, NADCA, USA, 2009.Google Scholar 
  10. M.D. Hanna, S.Z. Lu, A. Hellawell, “The effect of SiC particles on the size and morphology of eutectic silicon in cast A356/SiCp composites” Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, 15A (1984), p. 459.Google Scholar 
  11. H. Koch, U. Hielscher, H. Sternau, A.J. Franke, “Silafont 36, the new low-iron high-pressure die-casting alloy”, Light Metals, edited by James W. Evans, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society, (1995), p. 1011.Google Scholar 
  12. P.N. Crepeau, S.D. Antolovich and J.A. Worden, “Structure-Property Relationships in Aluminium Alloy 339-T5: Tensile Behavior at Room and Elevated Temperature”, AFS Transactions, Vol. 98, pp 813-822 (1990).CAS Google Scholar
  • DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22532-1_83