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Effect of alloying elements and dendrite arm spacing on the microstructure and hardness of an Al-Si-Cu-Mg-Fe-Mn (380) aluminium die-casting alloy

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Abstract

The microstructure of aluminium alloys based on 380 die-casting alloy was studied in detail, as a function of the alloying elements iron, magnesium, copper and manganese, and the solidification rate. Three methods of solidification were employed to simulate cooling rates obtained from investment, permanent, and die-casting processes, corresponding to ∼ 0.4, ∼ 12 and ∼ 260 °C s−1, respectively, with emphasis on the highest cooling rate. Hardness measurements were carried out on samples obtained from the latter, in the as-cast and T5 tempered conditions (4 h at 25, 155, 180, 200 and 220 °C). The results have been discussed and the correlation between the hardness and microstructure as a function of alloying elements is presented. The effect of solution heat treatment on the variations in the microstructure and hardness has also been discussed.

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  1. Département des Sciences Appliquées, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555, boulevard de I'Université, G7H 2B1, Chicoutimi, Québec, Canada

    A. M. Samuel & F. H. Samuel

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  1. A. M. Samuel
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  2. F. H. Samuel
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Samuel, A.M., Samuel, F.H. Effect of alloying elements and dendrite arm spacing on the microstructure and hardness of an Al-Si-Cu-Mg-Fe-Mn (380) aluminium die-casting alloy. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE 30, 1698–1708 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00351598

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00351598

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