Abstract
This study aims to develop the mechanical properties of the Al6Si2Cu aluminum alloy through the double-solution treatment. In addition to the Al matrix, large amounts of coarse eutectic Si, Al2Cu intermetallic, and Fe-rich phases were generated through thermo-calc simulation in agreement with the equilibrium phases. The eutectic Si phase is fragmented and spheroidized by the solution treatment as the heat treatment temperature and time increase. The Al2Cu intermetallic phase is dissolved into the Al matrix, resulting in an increase in both strength and elongation. The second-step solution temperature at 525 °C should be an optimum condition for enhancing the mechanical properties of the Al6Si2Cu aluminum alloy.
Highlights
Environmental problems, such as fossil fuel exhaustion, global warming, and air pollution, require specific tolerance standards for CO2 emissions or vehicle fuel consumption in the automobile industry [1,2]
AlSiCu alloys have recently been used in cylinder blocks, cylinder heads, engine mount brackets, etc., bedue to their excellent mechanical properties and castability [3,4,5,6]
The Al6Si2Cu alloys had two major Fe–Si intermetallic phases: α-Al15(Fe, Mn)3Si2, which is known as the α-Fe phase, and βAl5FeSi, which is known as the β-Fe phase
Summary
Environmental problems, such as fossil fuel exhaustion, global warming, and air pollution, require specific tolerance standards for CO2 emissions or vehicle fuel consumption in the automobile industry [1,2]. There is an urgent need to study the weight reduction of automobiles that can reduce harmful gas emission and improve fuel efficiency in accordance with these social demands. Effective automobile weight reduction is more related to materials than structure design. Aluminum alloys have been studied as a lightweight material and widely applied as a substitute material. AlSiCu alloys have recently been used in cylinder blocks, cylinder heads, engine mount brackets, etc., bedue to their excellent mechanical properties and castability [3,4,5,6]. The eutectic Si and Al2Cu phases of AlSiCu alloys are crystallized as coarse needles and coarse plates, respectively. When an external force is applied, a fracture can occur due to the stress concentration, which may restrict material usage [7]
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