Effect of a New Grain Refiner (Al–Ti–Mg–Ce) on Hardness, Tensile, and Impact Properties of Al–7Si Alloy

Abstract

Through studying the effects of the Al–5Ti-x(Mg–30%Ce) refiner on the microstructure of the Al–7Si alloy, we investigated the hardness, tensile, and impact properties of the Al–Si alloy before and after refinement. The refinement results show that Mg–30%Ce can improve the refinement effect of Al–5Ti on Al–7Si, and also refine α-Al and eutectic Si in Al–7Si. When 2%Mg–30%Ce is added, the refining effect of the aluminum–silicon alloy is most obvious. After refinement, the hardness and tensile properties of the Al–7Si alloy improve. When 2%Mg–30%Ce is added to the refiner, the tensile properties of the Al–Si alloy are the best. Dynamic mechanical tests were conducted on refined Al–7Si alloy. The impact toughness of Al–7Si–(Al–5Ti-2(Mg–30%Ce) improved and the impact toughness reached 34.91 J/cm2, which is 78.7% higher than that of Al–7Si–(Al–5Ti) specimens. The separate Hopkinson pressure bar test results show that, under a high strain rate, the strain rate sensitivity of the prepared Al–Si alloy is significant. The specimens of Al–7Si–(Al–5Ti-2(Mg–30%Ce) demonstrated the best anti-impact performance at the same velocity.

Spreadsheet to analyze the comparative of elasticities properties of aluminum alloy materials

“…Whereas Aluminum 2219-T31 has the highest modulus of elasticity among the six aluminum alloys, which is 73.1 GPa, while Aluminum 2017-T4 has the second highest modulus of elasticity value of 72.4 GPa. Pure Aluminum has the lowest stress strength, and this is consistent with the previous statement that pure Aluminum has low strength and mechanical properties, so alloys from other materials are needed so that their mechanical properties can be improved [12], [19].…”

“…Like several studies that have been done, various elements can be added to aluminum alloys to produce better materials. Some of these elements are copper (Cu), silicon (Si), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), and so on [12]- [17].…”

Effect of Grain Refinement on the Dynamic, Mechanical Properties, and Corrosion Behaviour of Al-Mg Alloy

“…As a result, various particles and alloying elements, including Al 2 O 3 , SiC, and TiB 2 , are employed to refine and fine-tune aluminium alloy grains and surface morphology to improve the mechanical characteristics [6,7]. Grain refining can be accomplished using rapid solidification and repeated deformations, dissolving the modifiers using molten metal, lasers, and friction stir processing [8,9].…”

Development of Al–Mg–Si alloy performance by addition of grain refiner Al–5Ti–1B alloy

“…They frequently cause defects, such as composition segregation, cracks, and shrinkage cavities. Consequently, the grain refinement addition of Al alloys to improve the mechanical properties and the microstructure of Al alloys has become a research focus 7 Kodetova´, et al 8 concluded that the addition of Sc, Zr in the hot-rolled alloys stabilizes and refines grains. The grain size was around 1000 mm in the AlZnMgCuFe and change to 20 mm in the AlZnMgCuFeScZr hot-rolled alloys.…”

“…They frequently cause defects, such as composition segregation, cracks, and shrinkage cavities. Consequently, the grain refinement addition of Al alloys to improve the mechanical properties and the microstructure of Al alloys has become a research focus 7 …”