Abstract
Objective: To study the mechanical properties of newly developed cast aluminium alloy with additions of copper and magnesium in the mole ratio of 1:1:1 of Al-Cu-Mg in as cast and thermally aged conditions. Methods/Statistical Analysis: For the (wt.%) selection of Cu-Mg on the basis of stoichiometric calculations, 1 unit (wt.%) of copper and 1 unit (wt. %) of magnesium were mixed in base metal liquid. Aluminium 6063 base material was heated in an electric furnace at 750°C in permanent mild steel mould preheated at 200°C in order to achieve homogenised cast alloyed ingot. Findings: The specimens were extracted from cast aluminium ingot for tensile and impact strength evaluation, microhardness variations and metallurgical studies in as cast and aged conditions (160°C for 5,6 and 7 hours respectively). Optical microscopy reveals increased rate of intermetallic precipitation at aged conditions which was supported by X-ray diffraction patterns. Moreover, copper and magnesium additions increased the ultimate tensile strength, impact strength and microhardness values of newly developed aluminium cast alloy in comparison with conventional Al 6063 base material. Application/ Improvement: Therefore, based upon the present work, it is recommended to use this ratio of copper and magnesium in aluminium base alloy in order to achieve better mechanical properties in industrial applications. Keywords: Aluminum Alloys, Electric Furnace, Intermetallic Compounds, Solution Treatment, Thermal Aging
Highlights
Aluminium alloys are next to steels in use as structural metals
The temperature was maintained at 750°C for half an hour, which is higher than the melting temperature of Al as shown in Tensile specimens were tested on a servo hydraulic based digital controlled tensile testing machine of having capacity 50 kN and ultimate tensile strength for base and aged cast aluminium alloys were determined
After alloying additions of copper and magnesium in aluminium matrix, chemical compositions were determined through spectrometer in as cast and aged conditions
Summary
Aluminium alloys are next to steels in use as structural metals. Its density is around 1/3 to the steel which makes its use advantageous for space vehicles, aircrafts as well as many types of surface and water borne vehicles[1]. The first age-hardening of aluminium alloy as reported in literature was performed in year 1909 who patented duralumin of casting components containing Cu and Mg substances[9]. Effect of Copper and Magnesium Stoichiometric Additions and Thermal Aging on the Mechanical Properties of Cast Aluminium Alloys supersaturated solid solution by performing solution treatment and quenching[13,14,15,16,17]. Some of the investigators have taken compositions of alloying elements in weight fraction or volume fraction but in arbitrary manner. They have used design of experiments for material compositions as input parameters and different mechanical properties as responses, and optimum values of alloying elements are suggested for the given objective[19]. It was necessary to undertake present work in order to generate database for mechanical properties of these aluminium alloys
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
