Microstructure and high temperature tensile properties of Al–Si–Cu–Mn–Fe alloys prepared by semi-solid thixoforming

Abstract

The differences in the microstructure and elevated temperature tensile properties of gravity die cast, squeeze cast, and semi-solid thixoformed Al–Si–Cu–Mn–Fe alloys after thermal exposure at 300 °C were discussed. The results demonstrate that the elevated temperature tensile properties of semi-solid thixoformed alloys were significantly higher than those of gravity die cast and squeeze cast alloys, especially after thermal exposure for 100 h. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of semi-solid thixoformed alloys after thermal exposure at 300 °C for 0.5, 10 and 100 h were 181, 122 and 110 MPa, respectively. The UTS values of semi-solid thixoformed alloys were higher than those of heat resistant aluminum alloys used in commercial applications. The enhanced elevated temperature tensile properties of semi-solid thixoformed experimental alloys after thermal exposure can be attributed to the combined reinforcement of precipitation strengthening and grain boundary strengthening due to thermally stable intermetallic phases as well as suitable grain size.