The Effect of Zr on LM6 Aluminum Alloy

Abstract

In this study, the effect of Zr amount on LM6 alloys which were produced by conventional casting method and contained different amounts of Zr (0.05% and 0.15) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloys was investigated. In addition, produced alloys were modified with 200-250 ppm Strontium (Sr). optic microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM / EDS analysis) were used for microstructure analysis. The hardness and tensile tests of the alloys which were modified by Sr and alloyed with different amounts of zirconium were performed. As a result of the studies that were done, it was determined in the images of optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) that the morphology of Al-Si-Fe phase changed depending on the addition of Zr, and that Al-Si-Fe intermetalics having different amounts of Zr composed. While the highest level of percent elongation was obtained from the Al12Si alloy, the highest level of hardness and maximum tensile strength were obtained from the LM6 alloy modified by strontium. The highest level of yield strength was obtained from LM6 alloy which was alloyed with 0.05 Zr. It was found that the amount of added Zr did not show a significant difference at the maximum tensile strength level of Al12Si alloy.