Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

On the Impact Properties and Fractography of Al–11%Si Casting Alloy

  • Published:
International Journal of Metalcasting Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study focused on investigating the effects of Sr-modification and solidification rate as well as the aging treatment conditions on the impact toughness behavior of Al–11%Si near-eutectic alloys with the objective of fully evaluating its behavior under high rates of loading. The Al–11%Si-based alloys, however, display lower impact energy values than those obtained for hypoeutectic 356 and 319 alloys. The impact behavior of aged Al–11%Si-based alloys is similar under both low and high solidification rate conditions; the air-cooled alloys (high solidification rate), however, display higher impact energy values than do furnace-cooled alloys (low solidification rate). Artificial aging at 240 °C for 44 h produces a significant improvement in the impact energy values as a result of softening effect, regardless of alloy composition. The presence of undissolved intermetallic phases, mainly Al2Cu and α-Al15(Mn,Fe)3Si2, increases alloy brittleness and thus also reduces alloy toughness. The segregation of Al2Cu caused by Sr addition is a further parameter to be considered, especially for furnace-cooled alloys. The impact energy values of air-cooled alloys are significantly higher than those obtained for furnace-cooled alloys based on the microstructural differences between the two categories of alloys, regardless of alloy conditions. Crack propagation occurs mainly in the near-eutectic alloys by passing through the Al2Cu and/or α-iron intermetallic phases, shattering them into fragments. In numerous cases, the morphology of the intermetallic phase is retained, indicating that the fracture is of the transverse type rather than a particle/matrix fracture.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
Figure 14
Figure 15
Figure 16
Figure 17
Figure 18
Figure 19

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Z. Ma, E. Samuel, A.M.A. Mohamed, A.M. Samuel, F.H. Samuel, H.W. Doty, Parameters Controlling the Microstructure of Al–11Si–2.5Cu–Mg Alloys. Mater. Des. 31(2), 902–912 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. S.G. Shabestari, F. Shahri, Influence of Modification, Solidification Conditions and Heat Treatment on the Microstructure and Mechanical Treatment of A356 Aluminum Alloy. J. Mater. Sci. 39, 2023–2032 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. D. Apelian, S. Shivkumar, G. Sigworth, Fundamental Aspects of Heat Treatment of Cast Al–Si–Mg Alloys. AFS Trans. 97, 727–742 (1989)

    Google Scholar 

  4. F. Paray, J.E. Gruzleski, Microstructure-Mechanical Property Relationship in a 356 Alloy. Part1: Microstructure. Cast Met. 7(1), 29–40 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. E. Tillová, M. Panušková, Effect of Solution Treatment on Intermetallic Phases Morphology in AlSi9Cu3 Cast Alloy. Metalurgija 47(3), 207–210 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  6. F. Paray, B. Kulunk, J.E. Gruzleski, Impact Properties of Al–Si Foundry Alloys. Int. J. Cast Met. Res. 13, 17–37 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. O. Elsebaie, A.M.A. Mohamed, A.M. Samuel, F.H. Samuel, A.M.A. Al-Ahmari, The Role of Alloying Additives and Aging Treatment in the Impact Behavior of 319 Cast Alloy. Mater. Des. 32(10), 3205–3220 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. O. Elsebaie, A.M. Samuel, F.M. Samuel, Effects of Sr-Modification, Iron-Based Intermetallics and Aging Conditions on the Impact Toughness of 356 Cast Alloy. J. Mater. Sci. 46(9), 3027–3045 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Z. Ma, E. Samuel, A.M.A. Mohamed, A.M. Samuel, F.H. Samuel, H.W. Doty, Influence of Aging Treatments and Alloying Additives on the Hardness of Al–11Si–2.5Cu–Mg Alloys. Mater. Des. 31(4), 3791–3803 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. J.E. Gruzleski, B.M. Closset, The Treatment of Liquid Aluminum–Silicon Alloys (American Foundrymen’s Society, Des Plaines, 1990)

    Google Scholar 

  11. A.M. Samuel, F.H. Samuel, H.W. Doty, Observations on the Formation of β-Al5FeSi Phase in 319 Type Al–Si Alloys. J. Mater. Sci. 31, 5529–5539 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. L. Bäckerud, G. Chai, J. Tamminen, Solidification Characteristics of Aluminum Alloys, Vol. 2: Foundry Alloys (AFS/Skanaluminium, Des Plaines, 1990), pp. 71–229

    Google Scholar 

  13. F.H. Samuel, A.M. Samuel, H.W. Doty, Factors Controlling the Type and Morphology of Copper-Containing Phases in 319 Aluminum Alloy. AFS Trans. 104, 893–901 (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  14. K.G. Basavakumar, P.G. Mukunda, M. Chakraborty, Impact Toughness in Al–12Si and Al–12Si–3Cu Cast Alloys—Part 1: Effect of Process Variables and Microstructure. Int. J. Impact Eng. 35, 199–205 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. J.L. Jorstad, “Understanding Sludge”, Proceedings of the 14th SDCE International Die Casting Congress and Exposition, Toronto, ON, Canada, paper No. G-T87-011 (May 11–14, 1987)

  16. G. Pucella, A.M. Samuel, F.H. Samuel, H.W. Doty, S. Valtierra, Sludge Formation in Sr-Modified Al–11.5%Si Diecasting Alloys. AFS Trans. 107, 398–405 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  17. M.F. Hafiz, T. Kobayashi, N. Fat-Halla, Role of Microstructure in Relation to the Toughness of Hypoeutectic Al–Si Casting Alloy. Cast Met. 7, 103–111 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. A.M.A. Mohamed, F.H. Samuel, A.M. Samuel, H.W. Doty, Influence of Additives on the Impact Toughness of Al–10.8% Si Near-Eutectic Cast Alloys. Mater. Des. 30(10), 4218–4229 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. J.E. Hatch, Aluminum: Properties and Physical Metallurgy, 2nd edn. (American Society for Metals, Metals Park, 1984)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Amal Samuel for enhancing the quality of the images presented in this article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Département des sciences appliquées, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC, Canada

    O. Elsebaie, A. M. Samuel & F. H. Samuel

  2. Materials Engineering, General Motors, Pontiac, MI, USA

    H. W. Doty

  3. Nemak, S.A., Garza Garcia, NL, Mexico

    S. Valtierra

Authors
  1. O. Elsebaie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. M. Samuel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. H. W. Doty
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. Valtierra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. F. H. Samuel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. H. Samuel.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Elsebaie, O., Samuel, A.M., Doty, H.W. et al. On the Impact Properties and Fractography of Al–11%Si Casting Alloy. Inter Metalcast 12, 36–54 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-017-0138-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-017-0138-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation