Effects of Bismuth on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AlSi9Cu3(Fe) Die Casting Alloys

Abstract:

In secondary die cast Al alloys, Bismuth is generally considered an impurity element and present as a trace element in commercial foundry alloys. In the present work, the influence of different Bi content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a commercial die cast AlSi9Cu3(Fe) alloy is investigated. The Bi level ranges between 0.015 and 0.3 wt.%. The results show that the presence of Bi seems to not produce significant changes in the microstructure and mechanical properties. Fine Bi-rich compounds are observed in the die cast alloys and they are mainly distributed in the interdendritic regions and along grain boundaries. TEM investigations revealed a complex Bi-Bi₂Mg₃ eutectic structure, which presents mainly rod-type and blocky morphology.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 765)
• Pages: 59-63
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.765.59
• Online since: July 2013
• Authors: Stefano Ferraro, Giulio Timelli, Alberto Fabrizi
• Keywords: Bismuth, Cast Aluminum Alloy, High Pressure Die Casting (HPDC), Mechanical Property, Microstructure, Recycling

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