Effect of alloying elements and dendrite arm spacing on the microstructure and hardness of an Al-Si-Cu-Mg-Fe-Mn (380) aluminium die-casting alloy

TLDR: The microstructure of aluminium alloys based on 380 die-casting alloy was studied in detail, as a function of the alloying elements iron, magnesium, copper and manganese, and the solidification rate.

Abstract: The microstructure of aluminium alloys based on 380 die-casting alloy was studied in detail, as a function of the alloying elements iron, magnesium, copper and manganese, and the solidification rate Three methods of solidification were employed to simulate cooling rates obtained from investment, permanent, and die-casting processes, corresponding to ∼ 04, ∼ 12 and ∼ 260 °C s−1, respectively, with emphasis on the highest cooling rate Hardness measurements were carried out on samples obtained from the latter, in the as-cast and T5 tempered conditions (4 h at 25, 155, 180, 200 and 220 °C) The results have been discussed and the correlation between the hardness and microstructure as a function of alloying elements is presented The effect of solution heat treatment on the variations in the microstructure and hardness has also been discussed