Effect of Mg and Cu Additions on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Squeeze Casting Al-Si-Cu-Mg Alloy

Abstract

The effects of Mg and Cu additions with different contents on the mechanical properties of Al-Si alloy prepared by indirect squeeze casting have been experimentally investigated. The microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast and T6-treated Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys were tested by OM, SEM, DSC and tensile measurement, where the samples were produced by artificial aging at 180°C for 8 h after solution treatment at 540°C for 4 h. It has been found that for the as-cast alloys, with increasing contents of Mg and Cu the tensile strength (UTS) and yield strength (YS) increased, while the percentage elongation (El) decreased. And the optimal mechanical properties of Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys were obtained under the content ratio of Cu/Mg within 4, where the UTS and El reached 426 MPa and 6.3% after T6 treated, respectively.