Effect of Solution and Aging Treatment on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al-14Si-5Cu-1.1Mg-2.3Ni-0.3La Alloy

doi:10.1007/s40195-024-01796-9

Abstract

Abstract:

In this study, the effects of different heat treatment process parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-12Si-5Cu-1.1Mg-2.3Ni-0.3La alloy were explored. Research showed that eutectic Si underwent three stages during solution treatment: diffusing, spheroidization and coarsening. As the solution temperature and time increased, the size of eutectic Si showed a trend of first decreasing and then increasing. Compared with the heat treatment time, the heat treatment temperature had a more significant effect on the mechanical properties. The coarsening of microstructure was the main reason for the deterioration of mechanical properties. The Al₃Ti and Al₃CuNiLa in the microstructure after aging can significantly improve the mechanical properties of the alloy. The Al₁₁La₃ with secondary precipitation occurred in the La-rich phase. The addition of La inhibited the growth of coherent/semi-coherent θ and β phases, which was very beneficial for the improvement of high-temperature strength. Under the optimal heat treatment process parameters of 500 °C × 4 h + 190 °C × 4 h, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the alloy reached 366.65 MPa. The high-temperature strength and elongation of the alloy reached 101.98 MPa and 13.77% at 350 °C, respectively.

Key words: Al-14Si-5Cu-1.1Mg-2.3Ni-0.3La alloy, Heat treatment process, Microstructure, High-temperature mechanical properties

Jian Dong, Jufu Jiang, Ying Wang, Minjie Huang, Jingbo Cui, Tao Song. Effect of Solution and Aging Treatment on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al-14Si-5Cu-1.1Mg-2.3Ni-0.3La Alloy[J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2025, 38(3): 449-464.

Figures/Tables 17

Table 1 Composition of Al-Si-Cu alloy (wt%)

Si	Cu	Ni	Mg	La	Ti	Sr	Al
14.18	5.52	2.46	0.096	0.23	0.08	0.035	Bal.

Table 2 Heat treatment process parameters

Alloy	Solution temperature	Aging	Time
Al-14Si-5Cu-1.1Mg-2.3Ni-0.3La	490 °C, 500 °C, 510 °C, 520 °C, 530 °C		2 h
	500 °C		1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 8 h
	500 °C × 4 h	175 °C; 190 °C; 205 °C; 220 °C	4 h
	500 °C × 4 h	190 °C	2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 8 h

Fig. 1 Microstructure of squeeze casting Al-14Si-5Cu-1.1Mg-2.3Ni-0.3La alloy without heat treatment: a OM image of squeeze casting Al-14Si-5Cu-1.1Mg-2.3Ni-0.3La alloy; b SEM image of squeeze casting Al-14Si-5Cu-1.1Mg-2.3Ni-0.3La alloy; c elemental distribution of Al-14Si-5Cu-1.1Mg-2.3Ni-0.3La alloy

Fig. 2 DSC curve of Al-14Si-5Cu-1.1Mg-2.3Ni-0.3La alloy

Fig. 3 OM of Al-14Si-5Cu-1.1Mg-2.3Ni-0.3La at different solution temperatures and time: a1-e1 OM of Al-14Si-5Cu-1.1Mg-2.3Ni-0.3La alloy at different solution temperatures for 4 h; a2-e2 OM of Al-14Si-5Cu-1.1Mg-2.3Ni-0.3La alloy with solution time at 500 °C

Fig. 4 SEM images of Al-14Si-5Cu-1.1Mg-2.3Ni-0.3La alloy at different solution temperatures and solution time: a 490 °C × 4 h; b 500 °C × 4 h; c 520 °C × 4 h; d 500 °C × 2 h; e 500 °C × 4 h; f 500 °C × 8 h

Fig. 5 a SEM and b EDS of Al-14Si-5Cu-1.1Mg-2.3Ni-0.3La alloy at 500 °C × 4 h

Fig. 6 Mechanical properties at different solution temperatures and solution time: a ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation (EL) at different solution temperatures; b UTS and EL at different solution time

Fig. 7 OM images of Al-14Si-5Cu-1.1Mg-2.3Ni-0.3La alloy with different aging temperatures and aging time: a-d the microstructure of the alloy aging at 175-220 °C for 4 h; e-g the microstructure of the alloy aging at 190 °C for 2-8 h

Fig. 8 SEM images of Al-14Si-5Cu-1.1Mg-2.3Ni-0.3La alloy with different aging temperatures and aging time: a 175 °C × 4 h; b 190 °C × 4 h; c 205 °C × 4 h; d 190 °C × 2 h; e 190 °C × 8 h

Fig. 9 a SEM and b EDS of Al-14Si-5Cu-1.1Mg-2.3Ni-0.3La alloy at 190 °C × 4 h

Fig. 10 Partial enlarged SEM image and EDS of Al-14Si-5Cu-1.1Mg-2.3Ni-0.3La alloy at 190 °C × 4 h: a and c SEM images; b and d elements mapping images

Table 3 Element composition of different precipitation phases (at.%)

Phases	Al	Si	Cu	Ni	Mg	La	Ti
Al₃Ti	52.47	10.26	4.31	0.45	12.68	0.05	18.88
Al₃CuNiLa	45.53	17.68	9.08	14.44	0.00	12.08	0.00

Fig. 11 Mechanical properties at different aging temperatures and aging time: a ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation (EL) at different aging temperatures; b UTS and EL at different aging time

Fig. 12 TEM BF image, HRTEM image, SADP image and elements mapping of Al-14Si-5Cu-1.1Mg-2.3Ni-0.3La alloy: a BF image; b elements mapping image; c and d BF images of dislocations and precipitated phases; e BF morphology of eutectic Si; f HRTEM of SF

Fig. 13 High-temperature tensile mechanical properties a and tensile fracture b-e at 200-350 °C

Fig. 14 TEM BF images of high-temperature tensile at 350 °C: a BF image of precipitated phases; b dislocation morphology after tensile deformation

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