Abstract
AlSi7Mg (A356) alloys are widely used for industrial applications due to their age hardenability and superior castability for components in near net shape. Conductivity—both electrical and thermal—is an important property for some applications in AlSi7Mg alloys. Although AlSi7Mg alloys display lower conductivity than pure aluminium, it is still important to maximize conductivity in the alloys for suitable applications. There are several metallurgical aspects to be considered in order to achieve high conductivity AlSi7Mg alloys—avoiding Ti addition, removal of Ti, V, Zr and Cr as trace elements, modification and spheroidization of Si eutectic microstructure, and formation of Mg–Si hardening precipitates. These are governed by alloy composition, melt treatment prior to casting and heat treatment of the cast components. In this paper, an overview and recent results of high conductivity AlSi7Mg alloys are presented with regard to 1. market, 2. metallurgical factors, 3. production, and 4. optimization and further development.
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