In this study, Al-25Zn-3Cu and Al-25Zn-3Cu-3Si alloys were obtained by adding Copper (Cu) and Silicon (Si) to Al-25Zn alloy using induction melting and permanent mold casting method. Microstructural and mechanical properties of alloys were determined. The internal structure of Al-25Zn consisted of α and η phases, while the internal structure of Al-25Zn-3Cu consisted of α, α + η and θ phases. In addition to these phases, eutectic and primary silicon particles were observed in the internal structure of Al-25Zn-3Cu-3Si. It was determined with the addition of Cu and Si that the hardness, yield and tensile strength of the alloy was increased and the breaking elongation was reduced. In addition, the machinability of these alloys in turning process was investigated experimentally and the effect of Cu and Si on machinability was revealed. As a result of cutting experiments, the highest cutting force was measured in Al-25Zn-3Cu-3Si alloy while the lowest cutting force was measured in Al-25Zn-3Cu alloy. The highest surface roughness value was measured in the Al-25Zn-3Cu-3Si alloy at all cutting speeds, while the lowest was in the Al-25Zn alloy.
Figure A. Experimental setupPurpose: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of Cu and Si on the machinability properties of Al-25Zn alloy.Theory and Methods: Firstly, microstructural and mechanical properties of alloys were determined by optical microscope and universal test methods, respectively. Cutting force and roughness values were measured with the Kistler dynamometer and surface roughness measuring device, respectively. The cutting performance of CVD-Al2O3 inserts was evaluated by imaging the adhesion formed at the insert with SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope).Results: The addition of Cu and Si to the Al-25Zn alloy increased the hardness, yield and tensile strength of the alloy, while reducing the breaking elongation. Si element was been found to worsen the machinability properties of alloy, but copper improved.
Conclusion:In this study, the effect of Cu and Si on microstructural, mechanical and machinability properties of Al25-Zn alloy was presented. The results show that Cu and Si have a significant effect on the microstructural and mechanical properties and cutting performance of the alloy.