Microstructure and Phases of As-Cast and Heat-Treated Al-Si-Mg/AlN Composites Prepared by Stir Casting

Abstract

Al-Si-Mg/AlN composites were prepared by stir casting technique. The amount of AlN added to Al-Si-Mg alloy was from 2 to 10 wt%. As-cast composites were solutionised at 540 °C for 4 h, quenched in warm water, 60 °C then artificially aged at 180 °C for 4 h. The microstructure of Al-Si-Mg matrix alloy contained dendritic α-Al, needle-like Si and very little inter-metallic compounds. As-cast Al-Si-Mg/AlN composites have rounded α-Al phase and needle-like Si where AlN particles dispersed surrounding α-Al. Needle-like Si transformed to spheroid after artificial aging. The size of α-Al phases of heat-treated composites containing 2 and 5 wt% AlN was bigger than that of as-cast composites whereas the heat-treated Al-Si-Mg/10% AlN composite has thin and elongated dendritic α-Al phases, and larger AlN particles.