Mechanical and Tribological Characterization of Al-Mg₂Si Composites After Yttrium Addition and Heat Treatment

Abstract

In this study, the effect of heat treatment and yttrium additions on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and tribological behavior of Al-15% Mg₂Si cast composites was investigated. The microstructural study revealed the presence of both primary and secondary Mg₂Si phases in all composite specimens and also Y-containing intermetallics (Al₂Y phases) at higher concentrations. It was also found that Y addition does not change the size and morphology of primary Mg₂Si particles considerably, but the pseudo-eutectic Mg₂Si changed from a flake-like morphology to fine fibrous or rod-like one. The results show that proper content of Y additions can reduce the amount of Mg₂Si phase through dissolving it into the matrix, lead to the precipitation of Al₂Y phase and improve the mechanical properties. Modified composites with 0.5% Y exhibited an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 290 MPa with an elongation of 4.3%. After exposing the composite to solution treatment at 520 °C for 4 h, the tensile strength of the composite continuously increased with the increase of Y content, and reached the maximum at 1% Y. The maximum UTS and elongation at room temperature for the heat-treated composites are 294 MPa and 7.4%, respectively. In the cast specimen, fracture surfaces are covered by packets with coarse steps, suggesting a brittle mode of failure. Modified composites with 0.5 wt.% Y contain several cracked particles together with a few decohered primary Mg₂Si particles. In solution heat-treated state, dimples present at the fracture surface are rather coarse but homogenous, showing a semi-ductile mode of fracture. Wear test results showed that the wear resistance of all specimens increases with the addition of Y up to 0.3 wt.%. Scanning electron microscopic observations of the worn surfaces revealed that the dominant wear mechanism was abrasive wear accompanied by some delamination wear mode.