Influence of Si Contents on the Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Al-Mg-Si-Cu-Zn Alloys

Abstract

The influence of different Si contents on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Al-Mg-Si-Cu-Zn alloys was systematically studied using tensile testing, OM, SEM, EDS, and EBSD. The results indicate that the grain size of as-cast alloys was gradually reduced with the increase of the Si content, which mainly resulted from the formation of many iron-rich phases and precipitates during the casting process. During homogenization treatment, the plate-like β-AlFeSi phases in the alloy with a higher Si content easily transformed to the spherical α-Al(FeMn)Si phases, which is helpful for improving the formability of alloys. The microstructure evolution of the alloys was also greatly dependent on the content of Si that the number density and homogeneous distribution level of precipitates in the final cold rolled alloys both increased with the increase of the Si content, which further provided a positive effect on the formation of fine recrystallization grains during the subsequent solution treatment. As a result, the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation of the pre-aged alloys in the direction of 45°with respect to the rolling direction were all increased with increasing Si content.