TY - JOUR
T1 - Dual role of trace elements in magnesium dissolved age hardened A356 alloy on microstructure and peak micro hardness
AU - Nithesh, Kashimata
AU - Nayak, Rajesh
AU - Hande, Rajarama
AU - Sharma, Sathyashankara
AU - Gowri Shankar, Mandya Channegowda
AU - Doddapaneni, Srinivas
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© K. Nithesh et al., Published by EDP Sciences 2023.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - The present work reflects the effects of trace addition of copper (up to 1 wt.%) and zinc (0.5 wt.%) on the microstructure and hardness property of heat treated A356 (Al-7Si) alloy. Small amount of zinc and copper was introduced into A356 in both atomic form (alloy) and powder form (composite) and its age hardening behaviour were investigated. To enhance the wettability during composite fabrication and solid solution strengthening in alloys, a small quantity of magnesium (1 wt.%) was added. The main objective of this study is to introduce lower melting point zinc reinforcement into A356 matrix alloy by copper coating of zinc particles and then reinforcing it into A356 matrix. All stir cast specimens were subjected to T6 treatment by solutionizing at 520 C for 2 h followed by 60 C water quench and then aging at 100 and 200 C to determine peak hardness value. Microstructure analysis showed that a minimum 1 wt.% copper was required to form Al2Cu intermetallic phase during solidification resulting in finer grain structure with hardness improvement. Under as-cast conditions, a maximum hardness of 85 VHN was obtained in 1 wt.% copper reinforced composite. Under peak aged conditions, aging at 100 C showed 116% hardness improvement in 1 wt.% Cu reinforced composite.
AB - The present work reflects the effects of trace addition of copper (up to 1 wt.%) and zinc (0.5 wt.%) on the microstructure and hardness property of heat treated A356 (Al-7Si) alloy. Small amount of zinc and copper was introduced into A356 in both atomic form (alloy) and powder form (composite) and its age hardening behaviour were investigated. To enhance the wettability during composite fabrication and solid solution strengthening in alloys, a small quantity of magnesium (1 wt.%) was added. The main objective of this study is to introduce lower melting point zinc reinforcement into A356 matrix alloy by copper coating of zinc particles and then reinforcing it into A356 matrix. All stir cast specimens were subjected to T6 treatment by solutionizing at 520 C for 2 h followed by 60 C water quench and then aging at 100 and 200 C to determine peak hardness value. Microstructure analysis showed that a minimum 1 wt.% copper was required to form Al2Cu intermetallic phase during solidification resulting in finer grain structure with hardness improvement. Under as-cast conditions, a maximum hardness of 85 VHN was obtained in 1 wt.% copper reinforced composite. Under peak aged conditions, aging at 100 C showed 116% hardness improvement in 1 wt.% Cu reinforced composite.
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U2 - 10.1051/mfreview/2023003
DO - 10.1051/mfreview/2023003
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85149839931
SN - 2265-4224
VL - 10
JO - Manufacturing Review
JF - Manufacturing Review
M1 - 5
ER -