Abstract
The present work shows a possible method for refining the microstructure of AlMgSi cast alloys in a similar fashion to the method which has been state of the art for many years in the case of hypoeutectic AlSi alloys. The effects of different melt purification processes, purification agents and the incorporation of different alloy and microalloying elements to modify the eutectic Mg2Si phase within near eutectic AlMgSi alloys are investigated. As a base material a near-eutectic alloy of type Al-Mg2Si is investigated in the project as the base. Systematic studies lead to an optimum composition of the purging gases and the duration of the melt purification treatment. Also the negative effects of other purification agents and trace elements on the formation of the eutectic phase were documented. The effect of the modification upon the microstructure has been elucidated, in the first instance, by the determination of the most significant structural parameters, such as the form factor, laminar separation and morphological factor of the microstructure, using quantitative image analysis. The results of the tensile test and the resistance to bending correlate well with the modification found in the alloy and the results obtained by image analysis. In complementary research using scanning electronic microscope (SEM) and transmission electronic microscope (TEM), the effects of different melt treatment variants on the morphology of the Mg2Si microstructure were analyzed in detail. The microstructure of Mg2Si changes its morphology with melting treatment, from a coarse laminar morphology to fine globular morphology. Owing to the spheroidization in the eutectic phase, ductility increases and offers new application fields and possible use for AlMgSi alloys in sand and permanent mould castings.
Translated title of the contribution | Modification of the eutectic Mg2Si-phase of AlMgSi-cast alloys |
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Original language | German |
Qualification | Dr.mont. |
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Publication status | Published - 2010 |