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Mechanical Properties of Thixoformed Al–Si–Cu Alloys

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Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the microstructure and mechanical behavior of Al–Si–Cu alloys (Al–wt%Si–2.5wt%Cu, Al–5wt%Si–2.5wt%Cu, and Al–7wt%Si–2.5wt%Cu) thixoforged through controlled partial melting. The alloys were subjected to temperatures that ensured a solid fraction of 45% and held for varying durations of 0, 30, 90, and 210 s. They were then immediately thixoforged in two different types of equipment: eccentric and a pneumatic press. The thermal treatments promote globularization of the primary-phase particles, with globules measuring around 70 µm. Tensile testing was carried out to characterize the mechanical behavior, and the results were equivalent or superior to those obtained for the as-cast structures. The thixoforged alloys were also subjected to T4 heat treatment with a solution treatment temperature of 540 °C for 10 h. Better distribution of the Si eutectic and a reduction in the size of the Si particles compared with the as-cast conditions were achieved. T4 treatment resulted in a significant improvement in mechanical properties, especially for the Al7Si2.5Cu alloy thixoforged in a pneumatic press, for which the yield strength reached 200 MPa, the ultimate tensile strength 292 MPa and the elongation 7.6%. Results indicate the feasibility of using these alloys to produce metal parts by thixoforging, especially when a pneumatic press is used.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank FAPESP (the State of São Paulo Research Foundation - Fapesp projects no. 2009/08478-1 and 2022/05050-5) and CNPq (the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development - project no. Pq 303299-2021-5). The authors also extend their thanks to the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, and the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of São Paulo, IFSP, Bragança Paulista campus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. São Paulo Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology, IFSP, Avenida Major Fernando Valle, n.2013, São Miguel, Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, 12903-000, Brazil

    Luis Vanderlei Torres

  2. Department of Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, DEMM/FEM/UNICAMP, Rua Mendeleyev 200, Cidade Universitária “Zeferino Vaz”, Campinas, São Paulo, 13083-860, Brazil

    Eugênio José Zoqui

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  1. Luis Vanderlei Torres
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Correspondence to Eugênio José Zoqui.

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Torres, L.V., Zoqui, E.J. Mechanical Properties of Thixoformed Al–Si–Cu Alloys. Inter Metalcast 18, 769–788 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-023-01086-7

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