An innovative class of aluminum alloys for automotive industry: investigation on their corrosion resistance

Abstract

Self-hardening aluminum alloys (AlZn10Si8Mg, EN-AC-71100) represent an interesting innovative class of material for the production of automotive and aerospace components with high-mechanical strength and good corrosion resistance. The aim of the present is related to the investigation of the intergranular corrosion resistance of an innovative class of self hardening alloys. Microstructural characterization combined with compositional analysis has been carried out by Optical and Scanning Electron Microscope equipped with Energy X-rays Dispersive Spectroscopy unit. Three-point bending test and Charpy Impact test have been performed and the corrosion resistance of the alloys has been investigated according to standard BS 11846, method B. The susceptibility of the alloy to intergranular corrosion has been assessed evaluating the maximum corrosion depth and the weight loss of the alloy after corrosion test. The results obtained have been demonstrated that the corrosion resistance of the alloy can be achieved by Mg addition.

The New Technology of Die Forging of Automotive Connecting Rods from EN AB-71100 Aluminium Alloy Cast Preforms

“…The research concerned the novel process of forging an automotive connecting rod forging made of a billet in the form of a shaped preform made of EN AB-71100 aluminum alloy cast in sand molds [ 26 , 27 ]. The chemical composition of the test material used for preforms is shown in Table 1 .…”

Archives of Metallurgy and Materials

“…silicon is known to be an alloying element that provides the alloy with excellent castability and allows perfect reproduction of the mould geometry with a minimal number of casting defects. The combination of other elements in al-si alloys, such as Mg, cu, Mn, Zn, sr, Ti, and B, is highly used to improve the hardness, fracture toughness, and corrosion resistance, thereby increasing the range of applications of these alloys [4][5][6][7][8][9]. From the industrial point of view, the commonly used alloy for the production of automobile castings such as cylinder blocks and heads, valve lifters, pistons, and so on, is foundry alsi7Mg0.3 (a356.0) alloy [10,11].…”