Combined Effect of Calcium and Silicon on the Phase Composition and Structure of Al–10%Mg Alloy

Abstract

Phase transformations in the Al–Ca–Mg–Si system in the region of aluminum–magnesium alloys are investigated using the Thermo-Calc program. The liquidus projection of the quaternary system is constructed with a Mg content of 10% and it is shown that phases Al4Ca, Mg₂Si, and Al₂CaSi₂ can crystallize (in addition to the aluminum solid solution (Al)) depending on the calcium and silicon concentrations. The crystallization character of quaternary alloys is investigated with the help of a polythermal cross section calculated at concentrations of 10% Mg and 84% Al. Based on the analysis of phase transformations occurring in alloys of this section, the presence of the Al–Al₂CaSi₂–Mg₂Si quasi-ternary section in the Al–Ca–Mg–Si system was assumed. Three experimental alloys were considered from a quantitative analysis of the phase composition, notably, Al–10% Ca–10% Mg–2% Si, Al–4% Ca–10% Mg–2% Si, and Al–3% Ca–10% Mg–1% Si. Metallographic investigations and electron-probe microanalysis were performed using a TESCAN Vega 3 scanning electron microscope. Critical temperatures are determined using a DSC Setaram Setsys Evolution differential calorimeter. The experimental results agree well with the calculated data; in particular, a peak at t ~ 450°C is revealed for all alloys in curves of the nonequilibrium solidus and invariant eutectic reaction L → (Al) + Al₄Ca + Mg₂Si + Al₃Mg₂. It is established that the structure of the Al–3% Ca–10% Mg–1% Si alloy is closest to the eutectic alloy. It is no worse that the AMg10 alloy in regards to density and corrosion resistance and even surpasses it in hardness, which allows us to consider this alloy as the basis for the development of a new cast material: “natural composites.”