Microstructure and Phases of As-Cast and Heat-Treated Al-Si-Mg/AlN Composites Prepared by Stir Casting

Abstract:

Al-Si-Mg/AlN composites were prepared by stir casting technique. The amount of AlN added to Al-Si-Mg alloy was from 2 to 10 wt%. As-cast composites were solutionised at 540 °C for 4 h, quenched in warm water, 60 °C then artificially aged at 180 °C for 4 h. The microstructure of Al-Si-Mg matrix alloy contained dendritic α-Al, needle-like Si and very little inter-metallic compounds. As-cast Al-Si-Mg/AlN composites have rounded α-Al phase and needle-like Si where AlN particles dispersed surrounding α-Al. Needle-like Si transformed to spheroid after artificial aging. The size of α-Al phases of heat-treated composites containing 2 and 5 wt% AlN was bigger than that of as-cast composites whereas the heat-treated Al-Si-Mg/10% AlN composite has thin and elongated dendritic α-Al phases, and larger AlN particles.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 501)
• Pages: 155-159
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.501.155
• Online since: April 2012
• Authors: Abdul Razak Daud, Mahamad Noor Wahab
• Keywords: Al-Si-Mg Alloy, Composite, Intermetallic Compound (IMC), Microstructure

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