Effect of heat treatment parameters on microstructure, defects, and properties of Al-16Si-6Cu automotive shift fork: quantitative evaluation perspective. (4th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Farahany, Saeed; Abazari, Mustafa
• Is Part Of: International journal of cast metals research. Volume 35:Number 1/3(2022)
• Page Start: 60
• Page End: 72
• Publication Date: 2022-05-04
• Subjects: Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloy -- Die-casting -- heat treatment -- primary Si particle -- defect; Metal castings -- Periodicals; Founding -- Periodicals; Foundry research -- Periodicals; Foundry chemistry -- Periodicals; 671.2
• DOI: 10.1080/13640461.2022.2082758
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-0461

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The current study investigated the effect of heat treatment parameters, including solution treatment temperature (STT), time, and quench rate, on the microstructure, defects, and hardness of an Al-16Si-6Cu Shift fork die-cast alloy. The changes in primary silicon particle (PSP) features were examined quantitatively by optical microscopy, coupled with image analysis and SEM equipped with EDS. The biggest PSPs (27 ± 8 µm) and the highest area fraction (23%) were found in the sample solution treated at 470°C and cooled in the furnace. The hardness value increased in heat-treated samples slightly (140–148 BHN). A lower STT (420°C) and a lower ageing time (1 h) are suitable conditions for the heat treatment of an Al-16Si-6Cu die-cast alloy, in which a lower pore area fraction, 1.18, smaller pore, 4.5 μm, along with finer primary silicon, 9.5 ± 3 μm, with higher circularity, 0.38 ± 0.04, was achieved.